NBA Comparison: CJ McCollom / Darius Garland

Strengths: Brown is a highly skilled lead guard with prototypical size for the position, standing near 6’5” with a reported 6’7” wingspan … A smooth, fluid operator in pick-and-roll sets who shows advanced pacing, change of direction, and comfort making reads … Extremely smooth and shifty in isolation, with the wiggle to get by defenders or create space for pull-ups through slick change of direction and advanced ball handling … Very good ball handler with a great crossover and a deep bag of tricks to get defenders off balance, allowing him to consistently create his own shot … Displays great vision and a strong ability to make decisions, balancing when to facilitate and when to look for his own offense within the flow of the game … Averaged 4.7 assists per game while showing the ability to deliver both simple reads and more advanced passes … Strong ability to drive and dish, collapsing defenses and creating open looks for teammates … Shows a highly advanced level of ambidexterity, which is both unique and extremely impressive for a young guard, capable of whipping passes with velocity and accuracy with his left hand on a dime … His comfort using either hand as a passer and finisher suggests a skill that has clearly been developed from a young age, likely through deliberate work, and adds another layer to his playmaking versatility … A natural scorer with deep range and shot-making creativity, featuring a quick, compact release that allows him to get shots off in tight windows … Highly effective using a tear drop floater with both hands, giving him a reliable in-between game … Shows impressive explosiveness as an athlete, capable of elevating quickly and finishing above the rim, converting a number of spectacular dunks that highlight his burst and vertical pop … Capable of getting hot in a hurry as evidenced by his 45-point outing against NC State, where he tied a program record with 10 made threes … Despite inconsistent percentages, he projects as an elite long-term shooter given his mechanics, confidence, shot versatility, and strong high school reputation … Comfortable shooting off the dribble, off movement, and in catch-and-shoot situations … Competitive defender who brings energy on that end, using his length well to disrupt passing lanes (1.2 steals per game) … Shows strong feel for the game and has clear upside as a primary offensive engine … Finished his freshman season as one of the more productive young guards in the country, earning Third Team All-ACC and All-Rookie honors … Has the tools and upside to emerge as one of the top point guards in his class.

Weaknesses: Efficiency remains a key question after shooting 41.0% from the field and 34.4% from three as a freshman … Shot selection and consistency can waver, particularly when forced into tougher off-the-dribble attempts … Assist-to-turnover ratio (4.7 to 3.1) is solid but leaves room for improvement for a primary ball handler … Needs to continue refining decision-making, especially in high-traffic situations … Durability is a concern, as a lingering back injury limited him to just 21 games and caused him to miss the NCAA Tournament … Back issues reportedly date back multiple years, which will be closely evaluated by NBA teams … Needs to add strength to his frame to better absorb contact, finish through defenders, and hold up defensively over an NBA schedule … At times can rely too heavily on perimeter shot-making rather than consistently pressuring the rim.

Outlook: Brown is one of the more intriguing guard prospects in his class due to his blend of size, shot creation, and long-term offensive upside … His physical tools and scoring instincts give him clear starter-level potential if he continues to develop his efficiency and durability … NBA teams will place heavy emphasis on medical evaluations and pre-draft measurements to better understand his long-term projection … Measured 6’1.75” barefoot at the 2024 adidas All-American Camp, though he was later listed at 6’5” at Louisville, suggesting possible late growth that will need to be confirmed in the pre-draft process … At times dating back to high school and continuing into college, he has shown flashes reminiscent of Stephen Curry with his advanced shot creation, deep range, and confident shooting stroke … While his current percentages don’t fully reflect it, there is a strong belief that he can develop into an elite level NBA shooter over time, even after going through stretches of inconsistency at Louisville … He is shaping up as a strong candidate to be the steal of the draft in the late lottery given his talent level relative to perceived risk … If he improves his consistency, tightens his decision-making, and proves he can stay healthy, he has a strong case to emerge as one of the top point guards in the class and a potential top 5 talent.

Notes: Mikel Brown Jr. measured 6′ 3.50” barefoot, 190.2 lbs, 6′ 7.50” wingspan, 8′ 4.50” standing reach, 33.5 no step vertical, and 39.5 max vertical at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. … 2025–26 Stats: 21 GP, 29.2 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 41.0% FG, 34.4% 3PT, 84.4% FT … High School: DME Academy … Hometown: Orlando, FL … Measured 6’1.75” barefoot, 169 pounds, with a 6’6.5” wingspan at the 2024 adidas All-American Camp … Third Team All-ACC and All-Rookie selection … NABC All-District Second Team … Two-time ACC Player and Rookie of the Week … Scored 20+ points in nine games, highlighted by a 45-point performance vs. NC State (10-16 3PT) … Threw down a spectacular off-hand dunk over Trevon Brazile that was widely considered one of the best dunks of the college basketball season … Missed 14 games, including the NCAA Tournament, due to a lingering back injury … Named USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year … Won gold with Team USA at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup and competed at the U19 World Cup … Former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American 3-point contest champion … One of the top scorers in Florida in high school (29.6 PPG) … Son of two former college athletes and brings a strong basketball pedigree. …

Aran Smith 4/15/26

Strengths: 6’5 point guard … Good size and length with a 6’6.5 wingspan … Pure shot mechanics. Shoots well off the catch. Can hit contested pull-ups from midrange. Has shown progression throughout high school and is a threat to score from the perimeter, including contested shots off the dribble. 3PT shooting: 2^nd best 36.8% 3PT% 6.3 3PTA adidas Eurocamp, 2^nd best 50% 3PT% 2 3PTA NBPA Top 100 2023, 35.3% 3PT% 5.7 3PTA U18 Americas Championship 2024, 47.6% 3PT% 6 3PTA U19 World Cup 2025 … Reliable free throw shooter and draws fouls at a good rate. Free throw shooting: 100% (19-19 FT) NIBC, 2022-23, 100% FT% adidas Eurocamp 2023, 2^nd best 86.5% FT% 4.7 FTA Overtime Elite 2023-24, 82.4% FT% U19 World Cup 2025 … Plays at a controlled pace and has ideal point guard traits. Very good ball handler and quick with the ball. Good creativity, changes speed and uses hesitations well. Runs the pick and roll well. Penetrates well off the dribble and makes good reads with the ball. Does a good job not putting himself in bad situations with the ball … Vocal. Alert and good playmaker. Throws accurate outlet and bounce/pocket passes when appropriate. Assist/turnover: Event best 4 APG/1 TOPG adidas Eurocamp 2023, league best 5.8 APG/2.1 TOPG Overtime Elite 2023-24, 3^rd best 5.2 APG/1.3 TOPG U18 Americas Championship 2024, 6.1 APG/2.1 TOPG U19 World Cup 2025 … Can use either hand as a scorer or passer … While he’s without a doubt a point guard at the next levels, he can play off the ball as well … Anticipates well defensively. Light on his feet and sticks to the ball-handler. Solid steal count: 1 SPG NIBC 2022-23, 1.3 SPG adidas Eurocamp 2023, 1.3 SPG OTE 2023-24, 1.3 SPG U18 Americas Championship 2024 … Plays with confidence …

Weaknesses: Has done a good job improving physicality over the years but has a slight frame and still has room to get stronger, hindering him on both ends of the floor. Can be bothered by contact and length as a finisher … Isn’t real explosive and typically a below the rim finisher. Only recorded 1 dunk in his 22 games at Overtime Elite in 2023-24 … Can be more efficient as a scorer and can look to get easier shots. Scoring stats: 8.2 PPG 37.1% FG% NIBC 2022-23, 11.7 PPG 33.3% FG% adidas Eurocamp 2023, 13.9 PPG 31.8% FG% OTE 2023-24, 10.3 PPG 42.3% FG% U18 Americas Championship 2024, 14.9 PPG 46.7% FG% U19 World Cup 2025 … Older for his class, turned 19 in April of his senior year …

Outlook: Louisville freshman … Transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy for his sophomore year, Overtime Elite for his junior year, and DME Academy for his senior year … Played in the 2023 UA Next Elite 24 … Won Gold and named to the U18 Americas Championship All-Tournament team in 2024 and U19 World Cup in 2025 … 2025 McDonald’s All-American … Recorded 17 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals in the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit … 2025 Naismith All-American 2^nd Team …

Evan Tomes 8/2/25

Notes: Measured 6′ 1.75” barefoot, 169 lbs, and a 6′ 6.5” wingspan at the 2024 adidas All-American Camp …