An incoming freshman just started to open eyes around college basketball with his athleticism. Find out who and where he outshines BYU commit AJ Dybantsa. Granted, athleticism, while seemingly a necessity in the modern college game, does not make a talent great alone. In fact, they need the foundations to pair in order to become the total player and not just someone who produces high-quality film plays but nothing else.
How Did Louisville Freshman Mikel Brown Jr. Outpace BYU Phenom AJ Dybantsa?
For what seems like a decade, Louisville continues to rebuild and attempt to get back to prominence as a signature basketball program. Brown, a member of the 2025 recruiting haul, looks to figure out a key role. While sitting down with the “Field of 68” podcast, the Florida native discussed a change in mindset due to physical growth and newfound athleticism.
“I jumped, and I got a 41 on a vertical, and I still try to get in the paint and just try to pump fake dudes. And my dad keeps telling me, like, ‘Yo, use it. You’re not 5’10”, 5’11”, or a small guard anymore.’ And I’m just still trying to adapt to my body and the new movements that I’m getting used to just because I’m able to do it now and I wasn’t able to do it back then.”
I said it back when u was 5’8 wearing a size 14 shoe as a freshmen, “those measurements will add up”, official summer measurements at Lousiville 6’4 1/4 with shoes on, 181 lbs, 6’7 1/2 wingspan, 41in approach vertical jump to compliment the skill.
Timing is Everything. pic.twitter.com/PQbKvHGCoC— Coach Chris Brown (@A2Advanced) June 8, 2025
Standing at six-foot-four with shoes on but listed at six-foot-five, Brown’s vertical eclipses the 40.5-inch leap of the BYU freshman. Dybantsa, who stands six-foot-nine. The BYU commit, the runaway selection as the prize of the 2025 recruiting class, hopes to bring the Cougars success. Much of Dybantsa’s game relies on his ability to rise and easily get off the floor.
While listed heights often vary due to the institution, a guard who can jump becomes a gift to teams for multiple reasons. First, with that levitation, Brown can add another element to his game, using his verticality to grab/tip/dunk rebounds.
Next on the open floor, he becomes an active finisher on the break in transition. In the half-court, the backdoor alley-oop becomes a weapon in his arsenal. Additionally, that vertical helps on defense with help-side defensive or chase-down blocks.
Louisville, in earnest, from a historical level, fits Brown’s new abilities. Ironically, almost a half-century ago, Louisville guard Darrell Griffith played at six-foot-four and led the Cardinals to the 1980 national title as a high-flying guard.
Yet, Brown must carve his own path for Louisville. Can he use that athletic explosiveness to get Louisville deep in the NCAA tournament?
