‘Playing within the offense’ and ‘what the team gives me’ are two ways IU basketball is reaping benefits of Mackenzie Mgbako development

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — From five-star freshman and McDonald’s All-American, to Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year — Mackenzie Mgbako’s path wasn’t as smooth as it sounds. The heralded recruit  began his IU basketball career on a low note as he struggled to find his footing at the collegiate level. So much so, he was finding himself on the bench more than on the floor. But, Mike Woodson continuously made it known that he was going to be a big part of the team’s success — a matter if when, not if.

After averaging 5.0 points on just 8-of-25 from the field in his first five games last year, he ripped off 10+ points in 24 of his final 28 games last year and turned into one of the most consistent wings in the Big Ten.

He’s continued that consistent play — and more — through the first three games of his sophomore season. Following Saturday’s 87-71 win over South Carolina, Mgbako’s averages are up to 22.0 points per game, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists all while shooting 71.4 percent from the floor and 63.6 percent from three.

What’s been the major shift for the 6-foot-8 wing?

“Just playing within the offense and playing with my team,” Mgbako said on Saturday. “Just being aggressive, playing with what they gave me.”

Mgbako’s 17 points on Saturday against South Carolina was the season-low thus far, but it was once again a very efficient performance and one where despite not getting the looks and touches that he typically gets, a performance where he stayed engaged and active from start to finish.

Mgbako’s three games this year are:

31 points on 10-of-13 from the field, 4-of-5 from three and nine rebounds.

18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 2-of-4 from three, seven rebounds and four assists.

17 points on 5-of-8 from the field, 1-of-2 from three and seven rebounds.

It’s a small sample size, but to start the season Mgbako ranks 1st in the Big Ten in field goal percentage, 2nd in Player Efficiency Rating, 2nd in overall +/- rating, 3rd in scoring and 8th in rebounds.

“It’s great to see,” IU senior guard Trey Galloway said of Mgbako. “People don’t see it, but we all see. He puts in the work. He’s very efficient in his work. He’s a guy that can score for us, and we know that … We’re going to need him to do it a lot of times.”

While his scoring and efficiency sticks out most and are the flashy numbers to look at, it’s his defense and overall effort level that sticks out above all. There is no question that Mgbako struggled defensively a season ago — not only with the concepts of Mike Woodson’s system, but just bringing the consistent effort needed to be on the floor.

He ranks 4th in the conference in defensive +/- and 8th in defensive rating this season. His defensive rating went from 111.5 last season to below 80 this year.

“Defense,” Mgbako said about where he’s improved most. “A big thing is defense creating offense. Being able to know the reads on the defensive side, that leads to offense.”

Moving forward, there’s no doubt that Mackenzie Mgbako will play a large role and be a major part of both ends of the floor for IU basketball.

His development from this point last year is eye-popping. But, his ability to fall in love with the process and with the hard work needed to get him to where he’s at now, is even more visible.

“I most definitely feel most confident in my defense and my shots, my shot capability,” Mgbako said. “I feel like if I play within the offense and play with what the team gives me, I can make the right shots and right reads. Taking every game in stride and learning from every game so I can move forward and keep elevating my game.”

SEE ALSO: IU basketball flipped the script from years past with its perimeter play on Saturday. How? By having ‘three different guards that can do everything’

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