Kelsey lands Brown, 1st 5-star as Louisville coach

Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Author Basketball recruiting expert. Signed up with ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Paul Biancardi Close Paul Biancardi Basketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of coaching experience at Division I

level Previous Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State Jan 1, 2025, 07:52 PM ET

the KFC Yum! Center: Five-star point player Mikel Brown Jr. had actually committed to Louisville.Brown then strolled onto the floor and was presented to the crowd, becoming the very first five-star hire of brand-new head coach Pat Kelsey’s tenure with the Cardinals.Brown signed with Louisville during the early signing duration in November, however the school kept it under wraps until Wednesday evening. He selected the Cardinals over a long list of schools that included Alabama, Indiana and Ole Miss.”The deciding

aspects were the energy of the program, the family environment and the truth that Coach Kelsey is so devoted he brought his whole personnel and walk-ons with him to Louisville, which shows his honor and loyalty, “Mikel Brown Sr. told ESPN.

“We are a really tight-knit family and worth his commitment to bringing those along who he might have very quickly left behind.”Kelsey got to Louisville last spring, changing Kenny Payne after two seasons. Prior to signing up with the Cardinals, Kelsey led both Charleston and Winthrop to numerous NCAA tournaments, establishing a high-octane brand name of basketball.”Coach Kelsey’s system is the perfect fit, particularly thinking about the significant minutes readily available at the point guard position,”Brown Sr. stated. “Mikel likes obstacles and sees the chance to be Coach Kelsey’s cornerstone piece in leading Louisville. He’s not scared to stand alone and boost a program

.”Brown Jr. is a 6-foot-3 point guard from DME Academy(Florida)and is the No. 11 prospect in the ESPN 100. He is the No. 3 point guard in the class, behind Arkansas-bound guards Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas.In 13 games with Group Loaded NC on the Adidas 3SSB circuit last spring and summer season, Brown averaged 24.2 points and 3.3 assists, shooting almost 44 %from 3-point range. He likewise started all six games for U.S.A. Basketball at the FIBA U18 Americas, averaging 10.3 points, 5.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds en path to a gold medal.Brown has an advanced ability, highlighted by his deep shooting capability and tendency to regularly attack the basket. He is among the very best in the class at running with screens, as he can shoot behind the screen, attack an open crease or make the read and deliver the best pass. He possesses outstanding instincts and skills.Brown is Louisville’s very first commitment in the 2025 class and just the second high school

recruit considering that Kelsey got here last spring, after ESPN 100 prospect Khani Rooths was the lone signee in the 2024 class.