Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. Sidelined for NCAA Tournament Tip-Off
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Louisville freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr., projected as a top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will not play when the No. 3 seed Cardinals open the NCAA tournament against South Florida on Thursday, the university announced Wednesday.
The school said Brown remains hampered by the back problems that have bothered him for much of the season. He has been ruled out for the first-round game in Memphis and is not expected to be ready for a potential round-of-32 matchup this weekend. The 6-foot-3 guard last appeared on Feb. 28 and has logged only 21 games this year, averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 29.2 minutes.
Even if Louisville advances to the Sweet 16 and Brown returns next week, NBA evaluators are expected to scrutinize his medical results at the draft combine this spring.
AP names freshman-heavy All-American first team
The Associated Press released its 2025-26 All-American teams Wednesday, with freshmen filling three of the five first-team spots. Duke forward Cameron Boozer was a unanimous selection, joined by BYU wing AJ Dybantsa and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr.. Texas Tech junior JT Toppin and Michigan senior Yaxel Lendeborg completed the first team.
Other standout freshmen included North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson and Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, both on the second team. Houston guard Kingston Flemings made the third team, while Kansas guard Darryn Peterson received honorable mention.
NIL keeps senior prospects on NBA radar
With Name, Image and Likeness income rising, more NBA-caliber players are choosing to stay in college for four years, notes John Hollinger of The Athletic. Hollinger highlighted a dozen seniors to watch in this year’s tournament, including UConn forward Alex Karaban, Purdue guard Braden Smith and Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz.
ESPN looks ahead to NBA postseason
ESPN’s NBA panel outlined key playoff storylines, examining pivotal questions for the top contenders in each conference and identifying potential sleepers. Zach Kram tagged the Miami Heat as the most intriguing lower-seeded team, pointing to their recent surge and recalling their 2023 run to the Finals as a No. 8 seed.
The NCAA tournament begins Thursday, with Brown’s status one of several developments NBA scouts will monitor as March Madness unfolds.
Source: Hoops Rumors
