By ADAM ZAGORIA
Five-star prospect Mackenzie Mgbako of Roselle Catholic (N.J.) will announce his college choice at 6 p.m. E.T. Friday.
The 6-foot-8 forward will choose between Kansas and Indiana after also visiting St. John’s and initially planning to visit Louisville before canceling the visit.
He is ranked the No. 2 power forward and No. 10 overall prospect in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports.com.
Here are five things to know about Mgbako ahead of his commitment.
1– Mgbako is the son of a Haitian mother and Nigerian father. He has an older brother and an older sister, as well as a younger brother, Ethan. Mackenzie transferred to Roselle Catholic from Gill St. Bernard’s ahead of last season in part to play with his brother, a 6-5 wing in the Class of 2026.
This spring Mackenzie played in the McDonald’s All-American Game, where he was one of four players from New Jersey competing, and the Nike Hoop Summit, where he competed for the World Team against the USA Team that featured Bronny James. Mgbako posed for a photo with LeBron James at the event.
2– Mgbako played with the NJ Scholars Nike EYBL team alongside Kentucky commits D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw under coach Jason Harrigan. Despite the awesome collection of talent, the Scholars failed to reach the quarterfinals of the Nike Peach Jam last summer. Still, Harrigan has high praise for Mgbako.
“Mackenzie’s combination of size and athleticism coupled with his ability to shoot the ball will make him an impact player at the next level,” Harrigan told ZAGSBLOG. “He works hard on his game and is a competitor.”
If Mgbako chooses Kansas, he will face his former Scholars teammates when Kentucky meets Kansas in the Champions Classic Nov. 14 in Chicago.
3–Mgbako initially committed to Duke in April of 2022 and then signed his Letter of Intent last November alongside his teammates Simeon Wilcher (North Carolina) and Akil Watson (Arizona State).
At the time, it appeared Wilcher and Mgbako would be battling it out in the ACC next season during the Duke-Carolina games. “It’s bigger than basketball, so we’re not going to let the quote-unquote [Duke-North Carolina] rivalry get into our relationship because that’s my brother at the end of the day,” Wilcher said at the signing press conference on Nov. 15. “And we’re going to go to war forever.” “It’s going to stay that same way [next year], we’re going to stay family,” Mgbako said. “That’s all there is to it.” But Mgbako asked for his release from Duke last month after freshman big man Kyle Filipowski announced he would return for his sophomore season, making Duke’s frontcourt even more crowded. The Blue Devils are also bringing back Mark Mitchell while adding incoming forwards T.J. Power and Sean Stewart in the 2023 class. 4– Mgbako suffered a bad ankle sprain in late January against Long Island Lutheran and was carried off the court. He didn’t return until the state tournament about a month later. Asked how frustrating it was to sit out, Mgbako said, “It got to me a little bit but you gotta push through the adversity and come out and state chip like we just did.” In just his third game back, he scored 9 of his 13 points in the second half as Roselle Catholic won the New Jersey Non-Public B state title, 68-59, over St. Rose, on March 3 at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena. “I was just trying to win the game, honestly,” Mgbako said in the Rutgers locker room after celebrating with his teammates. “We were down 4 in the third quarter so we had take over a little bit and get what the defense gave us.” 5– Mgbako models his game in part off of Celtics star Jayson Tatum and once spoke to him on the phone. “Well, it was a quick call, I was only on the phone with him for a minute,” he told Pro Insight. “He was in the middle of a workout and Coach Jefferson called him and I said, ‘you’ve got Jayson Tatum’s number?’ and he replied, “yeah of course I’ve got it” and I was like “no you don’t” and then he called him and I was like “oh shoot he really does!” I just said what’s up, he was in the middle of a practice so we didn’t really talk for long. A little smack talk too, I said ‘you couldn’t guard me’ and he said ‘yeah ok’ and I said “I’ll give you 40” and he said “you’ve never scored 40 in a game” he then asked ‘which game?’ because he scored 40 in a couple games.: Mgbako is projected as a lottery pick in at least one 2024 mock draft. “Making it to the NBA and then creating generational wealth for my family and my family to come,” as told Pro Insight far his long-term goals. “Making a brand for myself that can follow me even after I’ve died and having an impact on the world however that may be.” Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookClass of 23 @rc_basketball and @new_scholars wing @MackenzieMgbako has officially signed with @DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/nWZg7I1hzQ
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) November 15, 2022
