Mikel Brown Jr. during Louisville visit (Source: Instagram/mikel_brownjr)

“He took an L”: Hoops fans react as 5-star Mikel Brown Jr drops 38 points in loss vs Winston Salem

Modified Jan 19, 2025 17:52 GMT

Five-star Mikel Brown Jr. and DME Academy took on Winston Salem Christian School in Grind Session Charlotte on Saturday. It was a close game that reached overtime, with Brown carrying DME Academy with 38 points. However, his efforts weren't enough as their opponents jumped to an eight-point lead in overtime and held on to that lead, 75–71.

Brown Jr. is the No. 9 ranked overall from the Class of 2025 and has signed with Louisville. Fans discussed his efforts in Instagram's comments section.

"Haha, but the end story of the Game. He took an L," one wrote.

"I know he signed with Adidas, but he should’ve just joined Montverde bro instead of carrying this weak a** DME squad everytime," another wrote.

"C'mon Mikel," another wrote.

While many criticized Brown Jr., others praised and defended the five-star point guard.

"@jojochisolm76 I mean you had to triple team him still had 38," one wrote.

"Best guard in the country," another wrote.

"He was cooking," another wrote.

Fans react to Mikel Brown Jr.'s 38-point performance in overtime loss (Source: Instagram/ slam_hs)

Three-star Arkansas state signee Adriel Nyorha led Winston Salem Christian to that win with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Bradley Ford had 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals, while Tyson Thompson had some of the biggest plays for the Lions in that big win with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Mikel Brown Jr. and DME Academy on a 3-game losing streak after overtime loss to Winston Salem

The loss on Saturday had a big effect on DME Academy. The team is now down to 14-8 in the win-loss column and 10th place in the Sunshine Independent league. This is also the team's third consecutive loss despite having a five-star like Mikel Brown Jr. leading the team.

DME Academy will get a chance to snap that losing streak on Sunday as it takes on the Academy of Central Florida National. After that, it will take on Riviera Prep on Friday.

However, the team's biggest challenge will come on Jan. 25 against IMG Academy led by five-star point guard Darius Acuff Jr., an Arkansas commit. The battle at the point guard position will be interesting.