Indiana basketball freshman Mackenzie Mgbako tabbed as a Dick Vitale ‘Diaper Dandy’ this season

A lot has been discussed this offseason about the job that Mike Woodson and his Indiana basketball staff did on the recruiting trail. It was the third consecutive spring when the Hoosiers landed a top-30 player in the class.

This time, it was five-star and McDonald’s All-American Mackenzie Mgbako. It’s been known how he got to Indiana after opening up his recruitment and getting a release from his LOI with Duke. Now, he continues to be in the headlines as one of the top freshmen in the country.

This week, Dick Vitale released his annual ‘Diaper Dandies’ list and Mackenzie Mgbako was among the 12 players listed.

“This might be one of the deeper classes of impactful freshmen I’ve seen in a long time, and I’m so excited to watch them develop into PTPers,” Vitale wrote. “All 12 are projected starters, and eight are considered NBA lottery picks — which could make the 2024 draft one of the youngest on record.”

Mgbako, a 6-foot-8 wing, has been widely discussed as one of the top offensive players in the country. At his size and overall skill, Mgbako has the ability to play both he 3 and the 4 in Indiana’s offense. 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).

As a junior, he averaged 19.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game at Gill St Bernards (NJ).

Read: ‘He brings this grit and aggressiveness’: What Mackenzie Mgbako’s Indiana basketball teammates said about him after summer workouts

He was also part of the Nike Hoop Summit and had 22 points and eight rebounds for the World Team.

“Mgbako brings high-level shooting ability and is especially strong inside the arc with long 2-pointers and midrange shots,” ESPN analysts Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi wrote when Mgbako committed to Indiana. “He has proved to be a strong catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter. Because of his strength and willingness, he can rebound at both ends of the floor, and Indiana can use him as either the screener or ball handler in ball-screen situations.”

“Mackenzie is a dynamic player and an outstanding young man from a great family. He has the chance to have an immediate impact on our program,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said of Mgbako when he signed. “He’s a tremendous offensive player who gives us athleticism, length and the ability to be an inside/out threat.  He can beat people off the dribble, rebound, run the floor and guard multiple positions. Like most freshmen, he will benefit greatly from time in the weight room. He is a winner who has played against high-level competition and was a state champion in high school.”

Also: Indiana Basketball: Mackenzie Mgbako gets advice from Carmelo Anthony ahead of commitment

Here’s Vitale’s full list of ‘Dazzling Dozen Diaper Dandies’:

Xavier Booker, Michigan State Spartans
Elliott Cadeau, North Carolina Tar Heels
Stephon Castle, UConn Huskies
Isaiah Collier, USC Trojans
Justin Edwards, Kentucky Wildcats
Kwame Evans, Oregon Ducks
Bronny James, USC Trojans
Jared McCain, Duke Blue Devils
Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana Hoosiers
D.J. Wagner, Kentucky Wildcats
Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor Bears
Cody Williams, Colorado Buffaloes

SEE ALSO: While motor is in question, skill is not. How Mike Woodson can unlock potential of Kel’el Ware for Indiana basketball

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