March Madness is underway and today’s college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer’s NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. is expected to go in the first round.
Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the guard’s draft night will play out.
Mikel Brown Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 9 overall, Chicago Bulls
All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
The Chicago Bulls need to simply draft the best player available with whatever pick they have and will likely keep Louisville floor general Mikel Brown Jr. highlighted on their big board. The All-ACC guard has deep shooting range and is among the freshmen leaders in 3-pointers made from beyond 25 feet (27) this year, per CBB Analytics. Brown was averaging 29.2 points per game over his last five appearances, including 45 points against NC State on Feb. 9 while hitting 10 shots from beyond the arc, before getting hurt on Feb. 28.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Mikel Brown Jr. player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
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41.0% field goal percentage
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34.4% three-point field goal percentage
Chicago Bulls 2026 projected draft picks
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No. 9, No. 37 (via NOP) and No. 51 (via DEN)
All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mikel Brown Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Louisville star is expected to land
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