Louisville's Brown sets ACC freshman scoring record

Mikel Brown Jr. passes Flagg's mark and ties Unseld's school record in win

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Mikel Brown Jr., a heralded guard for the Louisville Cardinals, had a record-setting performance, surpassing the Atlantic Coast Conference's most recent freshman scoring record and tying a school record held by Hall of Famer Wes Unseld.

Why it matters

Brown's standout game showcases the rising talent in the ACC and Louisville's continued success as a basketball powerhouse. The records he broke and tied highlight his individual skill and the program's ability to develop elite players.

The details

In the game, Brown scored 42 points, passing the previous ACC freshman scoring record of 40 points set by Texas A&M's Quenton Jackson in 2022. Brown also tied the Louisville single-game scoring record of 42 points, which was set by Hall of Famer Wes Unseld in 1966.

  • Mikel Brown Jr. set the ACC freshman scoring record on February 9, 2026.
  • Wes Unseld set the Louisville single-game scoring record of 42 points in 1966.

The players

Mikel Brown Jr.

A heralded guard for the Louisville Cardinals basketball team.

Quenton Jackson

A former Texas A&M basketball player who held the previous ACC freshman scoring record.

Wes Unseld

A Hall of Fame basketball player who played for the Louisville Cardinals and held the school's single-game scoring record that Brown tied.

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What they’re saying

“Clearly aware he had a hot hand, Mikel Brown Jr. wanted to see what scoring heights he could reach before cooling off.”

— GARY B. GRAVES, Author (beloitdailynews.com)

The takeaway

Mikel Brown Jr.'s record-setting performance showcases the continued excellence of Louisville basketball and the rising talent in the ACC conference. His ability to surpass a recent freshman scoring record and tie a longstanding school record held by a Hall of Famer demonstrates his individual skill and the program's ability to develop elite players.