Why Mikel Brown isn't playing for Louisville in the ACC Tournament due to injury originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Louisville will be without one of its top playmakers during the ACC Tournament.
Freshman guard Mikel Brown will miss the entire conference tournament as he continues to recover from an ongoing back issue, the program announced Tuesday. The Cardinals are hopeful the additional rest will allow the five-star freshman to return at full strength for the NCAA Tournament next week.
Louisville opens ACC Tournament play Wednesday against SMU at 2:30 p.m. ET, with the game set to air on ESPN. A victory would send the Cardinals into a second-round matchup against Miami.
Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey said the decision to hold Brown out was made with the long-term goal of having him ready for March Madness.
“Mikel wants to play in the ACC Tournament, but we believe it is best to have him continue his path of improvement and have him 100% for the first round of the NCAA Tournament,” Kelsey said. “He’s close and chomping at the bit to be out there with his teammates.”
Brown has battled the injury throughout the season. He missed eight games beginning in mid-December and later re-aggravated the issue in late February, sidelining him for Louisville’s final two regular-season contests.
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Despite the interruptions, Brown has been a key contributor, averaging 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 21 games while emerging as a projected 2026 NBA Draft prospect.
Louisville finished the regular season 22-9 overall and 11-7 in ACC play. The Cardinals are currently sitting as a projected No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN's Joe Lunardi.
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