UPDATE: Louisville’s star guard Mikel Brown Jr. will not play in the critical matchup against No. 6 Duke on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, due to a persistent lower-back injury. Coach Pat Kelsey announced the news during the ACC coaches’ media call, confirming that Brown has missed the last four games as he continues to recover.
Brown has been a standout player for the Cardinals this season, averaging 16.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over ten games. His absence has been felt, as Louisville holds a 2-2 record without him. “He’s rehabbing hard; he’s trying to,” Kelsey stated after Louisville’s recent loss to Stanford. “We ramped him up a little bit in practice, and then we had a little bit of a setback. We’re hoping it gets better soon and he gets back out there.”
The Cardinals, now ranked No. 16 with an overall record of 11-3, will face a challenging schedule ahead. Following Duke, they will host Boston College and No. 21 Virginia in the coming weeks. In Brown’s absence, former Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley has stepped into the starting lineup, averaging 12.3 points over four games.
Brown, a highly touted five-star recruit and currently ranked No. 5 in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings, made headlines early in the season with remarkable performances, including a stunning 29 points and five assists against Kentucky. His early success has raised expectations for the team, making his ongoing injury a significant concern for fans and teammates alike.
As Louisville prepares for this crucial game against Duke, the focus remains on Brown’s recovery and potential return. The Cardinal community is rallying in support, hoping for his swift comeback to bolster their NCAA tournament aspirations. The developments surrounding Brown’s injury will be closely monitored as the season progresses.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
