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Nets Pick Mikel Brown Jr. No. 6, Sign $39.9 M Deal

6/24/2026

34 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Brown Drafted

Brooklyn Nets chose Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the team's highest selection since Derrick Favors No. 3 in 2010.
He signed a four-year rookie contract for $39.9 million after averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 21 games despite a back injury.
Brown measured 6-foot-5, a 6-foot-7.5-inch wingspan and a 42-inch vertical, saying he feels “home” in Brooklyn.

Summary

Brown Tops Draft

A survey of 10 NBA executives named Brown the draft’s top point guard.
Pat Kelsey’s third season produced Louisville’s first first-round NBA draft pick since 2017.
Brown’s 10 three-pointers and 45 points tied Louisville’s single-game scoring record.
ESPN’s mock drafts have lifted Brown from No. 9 to a projected No. 6.
Analysts compare Brown’s shooting range to LaMelo Ball’s style.

Summary

Brown Wins Gold

Brown won gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup and earned Male Athlete of the Year.
His 45-point game earned AP, Naismith Trophy and ACC Player-and-Rookie of the Week honors.
A five-star recruit, Brown committed to Louisville during a timeout of a Jan. 1, 2025 UNC win.
Louisville went 8-6 while he missed games because of a back injury.
The Nets added Brown to a young core with Randle, Porter Jr., and Demin.

History

Historical Context

In 2000 the New Jersey Nets used the first overall pick to draft Kenyon Martin, sparking a turnaround from a 31-51 record the prior season. With Jason Kidd added, the Nets posted a 52-30 record in 2001-02 and reached the NBA Finals two years later. The 2026 Brooklyn Nets pick Mikel Brown Jr. at No. 6 mirrors that rebuild approach.

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Brown Drafted

Brooklyn Nets chose Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the team's highest selection since Derrick Favors No. 3 in 2010.
He signed a four-year rookie contract for $39.9 million after averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 21 games despite a back injury.
Brown measured 6-foot-5, a 6-foot-7.5-inch wingspan and a 42-inch vertical, saying he feels “home” in Brooklyn.

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