Mikel Brown Jr ; INTERVIEW
article by Jaspaire and Chaim
Just before going to Team USA, Mikel Brown (prospect 2025) took time to talk to us about his future, his mentality and the importance of playing for his country. Due to a technical problem the audio is damaged and we couldn't release it in Interview Youtube format. Here are the written questions and answers:
“ Can you tell us about your journey in basketball ? “
MIKEL BROWN JR- my journey has been a long journey, watching my dad play basketball and my mom volleyball. My dad played basketball in college, so just follow his footsteps and continue his legacy.
“ So it’s like a family thing ? “
MIKEL - Yessir !
“ This Year you played in OTE, can you tell us about your experience over there ? "
MIKEL - It was a great experience, to compete against the best basketball level of competition possible, it’s not necessarily in high school [...] that you’re going to go hard every day and work out, playing games, and I think it’s a great part of it and also the platform is awesome. They promote a lot of things there, like media kind of stuff.
“ What aspects of your game, you trained the most in OTE ? “
MIKEL - Hm, just trying to be a leader, working all aspects of my game, i don’t really work out about anything specific to be honest
“ Do you have a typical routine to train or are you, like, focused on getting your conditioning to a pro level, what’s your main focus right now ? “
MIKEL - My main focus as of right now, conditioning, prepare myself for USA basketball, conditioning my body like a pro
“ How do you envision your transition from high school to college basketball ? “
MIKEL - I'm really focused on it but we have to see what is best for us as a family. Go to college, get a good scholarship there. I’ve got two other siblings that I have to take care of.
“ What’s your go-to move ? “
MIKEL - My go to move, probably say an Allen Iverson crossover, with that I know I can get to my spot using it.
“ You're labeled as a point guard, and you are a true point guard in our eyes. Do you see yourself as a true point guard or with the pro level you’ll be a combo guard ? “
MIKEL - I see myself as a true point guard, at the 1 you have to set up your teammates, also score the basket but mostly get my teammates the right shot and put them in the best position to score. That's my number one priority as a point guard so I think I might be a true point guard.
“ You said earlier AI, do you have any role models in the modern or in the old nba ? “
MIKEL - I don’t have a role model, except my mother. I watch a lot of Trae Young,Garland, Steph Curry ; being able to get to his spots and most point guards who have a lot of IQ, who can carry the ball and remain effective in catch and shoot.
“ Ok so do you consider yourself a Nerdies, like you watch a lot of films ? “
MIKEL - I do ! I watch a lot of those guys, also watch their bad games and watch what they did to make a difference even in the bad games.
“ What are your long-term goals in basketball, and how do you plan to achieve them ? “
MIKEL - First make it to college, be successful in college and next step is to get to the NBA. I want to be in there (the NBA) for a long time cause I love the game of basketball and also be able to to take care of my family at the end of the day
“ What advice would you give to young, aspiring basketball players looking to follow in your footsteps? “
MIKEL - One thing I give advice is keep your head down, keep working, stay humble and always focus on the goals you really want to achieve. If you want to make it to the highest level you got to stay true to your words and work your butt off to get to where you want to get you.
“ You said tomorrow you’re leaving for team USA camp, first of all good luck, you will be doing great like last time. Last time you made a strong impression. So, How important is it for you to represent your country and be a leader as you said, especially for Team USA ? “
MIKEL - It's been a goal of mine for a long time to represent my country. I mean, I’m coming into all the players to come through this team. It’s pride, it’s pride on the line in a different way, you know, you may have undervalued it.. You want to make your family, your teammates, your friends and your country proud. The pride of competitiveness, competitive standpoint is very exciting
“ For us, it was important to talk to you, because we come from France. We scout basketball in Europe, we scout in the US but we think you are not exposed enough already. And I think you are going to do great things man ”
MIKEL - Thank you, thank you
“ It’s good to talk to young players who keep a clear head like this. We appreciate that you were able to free yourself for this interview today before leaving for team usa. ”
MIKEL - Appreciate you guys, thanks you for having me