Mackenzie Mgbako Named to Dick Vitale's Preseason 'Diaper Dandies' List

Freshman Mackenzie Mgbako is expected to play a major role for the Hoosiers in 2023-24, and on Friday he was one of two Big Ten players named to Dick Vitale's "Dazzling Dozen Diaper Dandies" list.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Mackenzie Mgbako's commitment to Indiana marked one of Mike Woodson's most important offseason moves. 

Woodson won a recruiting battle against Kansas for Mgbako, who was originally committed to Duke. Now, he joins a new-look Indiana roster that boasts a mix of talent and unknown.

With Indiana's top four scorers gone from last season, Mgbako carries expectations to fill some of that void on the wing. At 6-foot-8, his ability to score all over the court led to a McDonald's All-American selection, five-star recruit status and a No. 9 national ranking in the ESPN Top 100.

A first look at incoming freshman Mackenzie Mgbako in the cream and crimson during his recruiting visit to Indiana / mack.mgbako on Instagram

“Mackenzie is a dynamic player and an outstanding young man from a great family," Woodson said on May 16, when Indiana officially announced Mgbako's commitment. "He has the chance to have an immediate impact on our program. 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. We can’t wait to welcome him and his family to Bloomington.”

Legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale agrees with these assertions regarding Mgbako. Vitale released his "Dazzling Dozen Diaper Dandies" list for the upcoming 2023-24 college basketball season on Friday, which more simply translates to the sport's top-12 freshmen. Mgbako was one of two Big Ten freshmen to make the list, along with Michigan State center Xavier Booker.

Here's the full list.

• Xavier Booker, Michigan State
• Elliott Cadeau, North Carolina
• Stephon Castle, UConn
• Isaiah Collier, USC
• Justin Edwards, Kentucky
• Kwame Evans, Oregon
• Bronny James, USC
• Jared McCain, Duke
• Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana
• D.J. Wagner, Kentucky
• Ja'Kobe Walter, Baylor
• Cody Williams, Colorado

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• 5 TOP-50 RECRUITS VISITING IU: Mike Woodson and the Indiana coaching staff have a busy schedule in September, with official visits scheduled for Liam McNeeley, Derik Queen, Curtis Givens III, Austin Swartz and Annor Boateng – all top-50 recruits in the class of 2024. CLICK HERE
• WOODSON GETS RAISE: Indiana announced Friday that coach Mike Woodson has received a $1 million annual raise to the contract he signed in 2021. This makes Woodson the Big Ten's third-highest paid coach. CLICK HERE
• NEWTON OUT INDEFINITELY: Indiana freshman guard Jakai Newton underwent a procedure on Wednesday to treat a pre-existing injury. There is no timetable for his return, according to a program release. CLICK HERE