Photo by: Nicole Finch | Louisville Athletics
Brown Named ACC Player & Rookie of the Week, Naismith Trophy Player of the Week
February 16, 2026 | Men's Basketball
The freshman earned the accolades after averaging 37 points in Louisville’s two victories of the week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – University of Louisville freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr., swept the ACC weekly awards on Monday afternoon, earning Player and Rookie of the Week honors, as announced by the league. Brown was also named the Naismith Trophy Player of the Week, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced earlier Monday.
Over Louisville's two victories, Brown averaged an astounding 37.0 points per game to go along with an average of 4.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals, all while shooting 59.5% from the floor and 66.7% beyond the arc. He knocked down 16 of 16 free throws as well, shooting 100% from the charity stripe.
On Monday night in a dominating 118-77 win over NC State, Brown broke the ACC single-game freshman scoring record previously set by Cooper Flagg, broke Louisville's single-game freshman scoring record previously set by LaBradford Smith and tied Louisville's overall single-game scoring record previously owned by Wes Unseld, as he scored 45 points.
The Orlando, Fla., native went 14 of 23 from the floor, including netting 10 shots from the arc on 16 attempts, which tied Louisville's program record for most 3-pointers made in a single game. He became one of six players so far in 2025-26 to score 45 points, and only one of four to do it in a regular season game. Per CBS Sports research, Brown is the only freshman in the last 30 years to log 45 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Brown teamed up with fellow Cardinal Ryan Conwell to become the first duo in program history to score at least 30 points each in the same game. It was the first time since Dec. 28, 2016, that an ACC team had two players score 30+ points in a single game, and it was the first time since Jan. 4, 2016 that a duo accomplished it against another ACC team. It was the first time since one of those two players had at least 40 points since Feb. 8, 1998. According to OptaSTATS, Brown and Conwell are the only DI teammate duo in the last 30 seasons to combine for 75+ points, 15+ rebounds and 15+ made 3's in a game.
Brown followed up his record-setting night with a solid performance in Louisville's neutral site, non-conference finale win against Baylor. On the way to the 82-71 victory, Brown paced the Cardinals with 29 points on 8 of 14 shooting. He went 4 of 5 from long range and tacked on six assists, five steals and three boards.
Over Louisville's two victories, Brown averaged an astounding 37.0 points per game to go along with an average of 4.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals, all while shooting 59.5% from the floor and 66.7% beyond the arc. He knocked down 16 of 16 free throws as well, shooting 100% from the charity stripe.
On Monday night in a dominating 118-77 win over NC State, Brown broke the ACC single-game freshman scoring record previously set by Cooper Flagg, broke Louisville's single-game freshman scoring record previously set by LaBradford Smith and tied Louisville's overall single-game scoring record previously owned by Wes Unseld, as he scored 45 points.
The Orlando, Fla., native went 14 of 23 from the floor, including netting 10 shots from the arc on 16 attempts, which tied Louisville's program record for most 3-pointers made in a single game. He became one of six players so far in 2025-26 to score 45 points, and only one of four to do it in a regular season game. Per CBS Sports research, Brown is the only freshman in the last 30 years to log 45 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Brown teamed up with fellow Cardinal Ryan Conwell to become the first duo in program history to score at least 30 points each in the same game. It was the first time since Dec. 28, 2016, that an ACC team had two players score 30+ points in a single game, and it was the first time since Jan. 4, 2016 that a duo accomplished it against another ACC team. It was the first time since one of those two players had at least 40 points since Feb. 8, 1998. According to OptaSTATS, Brown and Conwell are the only DI teammate duo in the last 30 seasons to combine for 75+ points, 15+ rebounds and 15+ made 3's in a game.
Brown followed up his record-setting night with a solid performance in Louisville's neutral site, non-conference finale win against Baylor. On the way to the 82-71 victory, Brown paced the Cardinals with 29 points on 8 of 14 shooting. He went 4 of 5 from long range and tacked on six assists, five steals and three boards.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballLouisville Men's Basketball Head Coach Pat Kelsey - ACC Coaches Call - Feb. 16, 2026
Monday, February 16
Louisville men's basketball post game press vs. Baylor
Sunday, February 15
MBB: Highlights vs Baylor (2/14/2026)
Sunday, February 15
MBB: Highlights vs NC State
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