Louisville freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. had an impressive night, contributing 45 points, including 10 three-pointers, during the Cardinals’ emphatic 118-77 victory over NC State.

Brown’s stats were impressive: 14-for-23 from the field and 10-for-16 from beyond the arc, with nine rebounds, two assists, and three steals at the KFC Yum! Center. His scoring total marked a new ACC freshman record, surpassing Cooper Flagg’s previous high of 42 points against Notre Dame last season. Additionally, he matched Wes Unseld’s long-standing scoring record for Louisville, set 59 years ago.

Initially struggling with a 26.9% shooting accuracy from three-point range, Brown surprised many with his shooting display, which was not unexpected for those familiar with his high school performances. Scouts have noted that Brown’s shooting has been a significant asset throughout his basketball career.

During his junior year at Overtime Elite, he managed to hit 38% of his three-point attempts while averaging just over six shots per game. Moreover, he excelled at Team Loaded in the grassroots circuit with over a 41% success rate from three-point range. His performance at various tournaments, including the FIBA U19 World Championships, highlighted his shooting potential.

In light of his recent struggles, some factors may explain his earlier inconsistencies. These include lingering issues from a back injury that kept him out of eight games and the nature of the shots he attempted—some being lower percentage looks that often diminish as collegiate players adjust their games.

At this point, Brown’s shooting form has reportedly improved, and his recent performance confirms that his skills are developing as expected. As echoed by his coach, Pat Kelsey, consistency will lead to more standout games like the one he delivered against NC State.