Before the Nets were ready to make Mikel Brown Jr. their highest draft pick in 15 years, before they were sold on making him the centerpiece of their rebuild, he had to convince them he could lead.

To do that, Brown has shown that to lead, he first had to listen. And learn.

Listening to mentors such as Rajon Rondo and Donovan Mitchell, who predicted the Nets are going to be overjoyed with the player Brown will become.

And listening to current veteran teammates Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. to learn how they’ve thrived in the NBA for years — and how he can do the same.