Decision Primer: 5-star Mackenzie Mgbako to announce Friday night

2023 five-star forward Mackenzie Mgbako is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the class and will be announcing on Friday night. He is set to announce between the Indiana and Kansas.

Mgbako took visits to St. John’s, Kansas and Indiana — in that order.

Both programs, Kansas and Indiana, can benefit greatly from adding the five-star forward.

At his size and overall skill, Mackenzie Mgbako is a terrific prospect. He is a shooting forward who has made 76 3s in the past two seasons at the high school level. He averaged 16.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as a senior for Roselle Catholic (NJ).

For Indiana, there is an obvious need at the position. He brings a skill that will spread the floor and step into a likely starting role immediately. Mgbako is likely a one-and-done talent.

Both Kansas and Indiana have appealing options for Mgbako on the perimeter.

“Coach [Mike] Woodson obviously has the NBA background which could be very appealing to a player who projects as a 1st-round pick,” Roselle Catholic coach Dave Boff told Zagsblog.com.

“A look at the last two Jayhawks teams, you see the success Bill Self has had with Christian Braun, Jalen Wilson, Gradey Dick, and Ochai Obaji. These four are wings or tweener-forwards, in the 6-foot-5 to 6-foot-8 range, that experienced success in the system,” Jamie Shaw of On3.com said of Kansas’ pitch.

Field of 68 Network co-founder Rob Dauster feels like it makes more sense for Mackenzie Mgbako to commit to Kansas over Indiana.

“I hope he ends up at Kansas, cause Kansas just makes so much sense in terms of  what they need, a shooter, the role that he can kind of play in that kind of three-slash-four role,” said Dauster on Tuesday’s show. “ … I think if you look at the guys that have played those wing roles for Bill Self, the years and the development that we see out of them, I think that it just makes a lot of sense for Mackenzie.”

Here is a full breakdown of Mgbako’s skillset from 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein.

“His shot-making from behind the arc is his best asset. He can also make the types of shots that translate to the next level – pick-and-pop threes, slipping out of ball screens to make shots on the move, or creating space with a series of side-step or step-back shots. The mid-post has long been a staple of his individual offense, but now he’s getting some easy points by moving without the ball more freely. Physically, Mgbako appears to be in the best shape of his career to date and was also productive enough on the glass to hold his own at the four. His swing skills are his defensive versatility and shot-creation abilities, both of which are rooted in his mobility, footspeed, and ability to play low to the ground when necessary. If those two areas develop, both his versatility and overall projection will go to new levels.”

Multiple sources have indicated to HoosierIllustrated.com over the last week that Kansas ‘feels good’ where it sits. But, there has been a lot of background chatter in this recruitment that is just that and nothing more. It looks to be a clear fight to the finish.

MgBako is expected to make his announcement tonight between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm ET.

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