Louisville basketball's rollercoaster season wrapped up Saturday, and now the Cardinals are setting their sights on the Transfer Portal. The 2025-26 campaign was marked by highs and lows, largely due to the absence of their star freshman, Mikel Brown Jr.
Brown came into the season with sky-high expectations. Donovan Mitchell even dubbed him potentially the best freshman in Louisville history before the games began. Unfortunately, Brown's season was derailed by back injuries, keeping him out of the NCAA Tournament and leaving some fans feeling frustrated.
Missing 14 games, including key matchups against ranked teams and the entire postseason, was tough for the team and its supporters. Yet, Donovan Mitchell isn’t joining the chorus of criticism aimed at the young player.
Mitchell, a steadfast supporter of Louisville since his NBA Draft days, has been a constant presence at games and practices. The 7-time NBA All-Star, one of the program's greats, didn’t hold back in defending Brown. When former Louisville football player GG Robinson criticized Brown for his absence, Mitchell responded swiftly with a tweet saying, “Stop it.”
Brown, the program's second-highest commit ever, understandably disappointed fans by missing the postseason. However, his commitment was evident. Whether playing or sidelined, Brown was fully engaged, often stepping up to support and coach his teammates.
As Brown looks ahead, his Louisville chapter seems to be closing. The talented freshman is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, with some forecasts placing him as high as No. 6.