Daytona Beach, Fla. – DME Academy alumnus Mikel Brown Jr. brought home an illustrious award today (Jan. 6), when he was named the 2025 USA Basketball 5-on-5 Male Athlete of the Year, one of the highest individual honors awarded by USA Basketball. The award caps off a remarkable year of international success and continued excellence at the collegiate level.
Success has followed Brown Jr. every time he has taken the court in a USA Basketball uniform. In the summer of 2025, he served as the floor general for the USA Men’s U19 National Team, leading the program to a gold medal at the FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Americans finished the tournament with a flawless 7–0 record, highlighted by a dominant 109–76 victory over Germany in the gold medal game, where Brown Jr. recorded 12 points and four assists.
Brown Jr. was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in just 23.2 minutes per game. He delivered three performances of 20 points or more, beginning with a 24-point outing against France, followed by another 24-point performance against Cameroon, where he added eight assists. His final 20-point game came in a thrilling 108–102 quarterfinal win over Canada, as the U.S. rallied in the fourth quarter behind his scoring and playmaking.
Throughout the tournament, Brown Jr. showcased elite efficiency, shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 47.6 percent from three-point range, and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line. Against France and Cameroon, he combined to shoot 17-of-23 from the field, demonstrating his ability to impact games without forcing shots.
Earlier in 2025, Brown Jr. also starred at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon, helping the USA defeat the World Select Team 124–114 in overtime. He finished that contest with 17 points, three assists, three steals, and 15 made free throws, tying the USA record for the event.
The 2025 gold medal marked Brown Jr.’s second international title, following his championship run at the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in Buenos Aires. His sustained success at the international level earned him this year’s USA Basketball honor after being nominated in both 2024 and 2025.
A former standout at DME Academy, Brown Jr. was a five-star recruit, the No. 7 overall player in the Class of 2025, and the No. 2 point guard nationally according to 247Sports. He averaged 29.6 points per game during his senior season at DME and was a McDonald’s All-American, winning the 3-point contest while also being named a semifinalist for the Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player of the Year.
Now a freshman starter at the University of Louisville men’s basketball, Brown Jr. continues to build on his momentum and looks poised to carry his success into 2026 and beyond.
Brown Jr.’s selection as the 2025 USA Basketball 5-on-5 Male Athlete of the Year further reinforces DME Academy’s mission of preparing student-athletes for excellence at the collegiate, professional, and international levels.
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized sports academy dedicated to developing the next generation of student-athletes through elite training, competition, and academic support. Ready to elevate your game? Explore our program or schedule a call with our team today.
