UNC could be 'looming' for former Duke basketball signee

One must wonder if Duke basketball might face Mackenzie Mgbako in ACC play.

Mackenzie Mgbako should have a wealth of options. At No. 7 on the 247Sports 2023 Composite, the five-star forward and McDonald's All-American is now the highest-ranked available prospect among graduating high school seniors after publicly asking the Duke basketball program for a release from his national letter of intent on Tuesday.

RELATED: List of Duke's all-time McDonald's All-Americans

There's no word yet on how many coaches are contacting him or what he is looking for in choosing a college destination.

But rumors abound in the new Mackenzie Mgbako sweepstakes. And two of those rumors involve ACC programs.

Minutes after Mgbako said goodbye to his Duke plans, Kentucky Sports Radio's Jack Pilgrim, a well-connected recruiting insider, reported that folks should "expect Louisville to make a push" in his reopened race "with North Carolina looming."

Kentucky is not expected to be involved for Duke signee Mackenzie Mgbako, sources tell KSR.

John Calipari exploring veteran options to complement five-man recruiting class in 2023

Expect Louisville to make a push with North Carolina looming, as well.

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) April 11, 2023

UNC, the Blue Devils' nearby archrival, is set to welcome Mgbako's Roselle Catholic (N.J.) teammate, four-star 2023 guard Simeon Wilcher. Furthermore, 247Sports now lists the Tar Heels as "interested" in him.

Meanwhile, the first-year Louisville staff boasts Nolan Smith, a 2010 Duke national champ and former assistant in Durham who helped Jon Scheyer land Mgbako's pledge last April.

So either of those possible options could make sense, especially if he is looking to be more of a centerpiece than he might have been on a 2023-24 Duke basketball roster that looks to be stacked with returning and incoming talent.

RELATED: Projected 2023-24 Duke roster following recent major moves

After all, Louisville and UNC failed to reach the NCAA Tournament last season, have already lost multiple pieces to the transfer portal this offseason, and seem to have plenty of room for star power at Mgbako's position.

Perhaps neither of those fellow ACC schools will become leading contenders. As for now, Mgbako hasn't mentioned potential suitors other than his Tuesday tweet proclaiming he's "open to all schools."

Nevertheless, considering the Nolan Smith angle at Louisville, UNC's ever-heated rivalry with the Blue Devils, and the fact both will be on next season's Duke basketball conference schedule, the rumors are at least worth keeping an eye on for intrigue purposes.

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