Indiana's Ware, Mgbako Included in Early 2024 NBA Mock Drafts

They just arrived in Bloomington in June, but Indiana newcomers Kel'el Ware and Mackenzie Mgbako have already been featured in various 2024 NBA mock drafts.

The 2023 NBA Draft just took place on Thursday, but it's never too early to look ahead to next year.

Indiana sent two players to the 2023 NBA Draft – Jalen Hood-Schifino went No. 17 overall to the Los Angeles Lakers and Trayce Jackson-Davis went No. 57 to the Golden State Warriors – and two Indiana newcomers could be the next Hoosiers in the NBA.

Various outlets published 2024 NBA mock drafts recently, which featured Oregon transfer Kel'el Ware and incoming freshman Mackenzie Mgbako. Both players arrived in Bloomington in June and are expected to be major contributors to the new-look Hoosiers in 2023-24.

Ware was a top-10 recruit and a McDonald's All-American in the class of 2022, but he had an underwhelming freshman season at Oregon. The 7-foot center started off strong with double-digit scoring against UConn, Michigan State and Villanova, but his playing time decreased as the year went on. He finished the year averaging 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

While Ware didn't reach expectations at Oregon, some thought he still could have been picked in the 2023 NBA Draft due to his potential. Instead, he decided to transfer to Indiana, where playing time is up for grabs with starting big men Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson gone. If Ware can showcase his upside in the pick-and-pop game and as a rim protector and lob threat, he could only need one year at Indiana before turning pro. 

Mgbako is the second Hoosier that appeared in a handful of early 2024 NBA mock drafts. The 6-foot-8 small forward from New Jersey decommitted from Duke, then picked Indiana over Kansas. He's a top-10 recruit in the class of 2023, making him the Big Ten's top-rated incoming freshman.

Mgbako can score inside and out, and he should have plenty of opportunities on an Indiana team that lost four of its top five scorers from last season. Like Ware, Mgbako won't be at Indiana long if he makes the most of his chances under coach Mike Woodson.

Here's a look at where Mgbako and Ware landed in various 2024 NBA mock drafts.

ESPN

• Ware: No. 11
• Mgbako: No. 31

USA Today

• Mgbako: No. 17
• Ware: No. 21

Yahoo! Sports

• Mgbako: No. 21 – "After Filipowski and Proctor elected to return to Duke, Mgbako decommitted and eventually chose to play his freshman season at Indiana. He shows a clear path as productive 3-and-D wing with his consistent outside shooting when his feet are set and length as a perimeter defender.
• Ware: No. 26 – "Ware was one of the top players coming out of high school, but had a relatively quiet and unproductive freshman season at Oregon. Ware entered the transfer portal, eventually committed to Indiana where he can be effective right away as a pick-and-pop big and add some presence in the lane and rim protection on defense."

CBS Sports

• Mgbako: No. 13 – "Mgbako projects as the type of stretch-the-floor forward who is critical to success in today's NBA. He was initially committed to Duke but decided to instead enroll at Indiana after Filipowski announced his return to the Blue Devils."

Bleacher Report

• Ware: No. 13 – "Ware was quick to announce a return to college, presumably knowing he could showcase more to his game with a new program.He'll now be a featured big at Indiana with Trayce Jackson-Davis NBA-bound. Coach Mike Woodson figures to run more post-ups and pick-and-pops for the skilled 7-footer with a high skill level and shooting touch.Ware's finishing and shot-blocking tools are obvious draws, but he's a potential 2024 lottery pick thanks to his shooting range and IQ at both ends."
• Mgbako: No. 14 – "Mgbako showed out at April's Nike Hoop Summit, scoring 22 points and showcasing his impressive defensive tools.Though not an explosive athlete, the combination of 6'8" size, shooting confidence, scoring instincts and the ability to guard wings will be very attractive to NBA teams."

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• LAKERS TIES FOR HOOD-SCHIFINO: Jalen Hood-Schifino grew up admiring Los Angeles Lakers' legend Kobe Bryant, and now he'll have a chance to make his mark on the franchise after being drafted No. 17 overall in Thursday's 2023 NBA Draft. CLICK HERE
• THOMPSON MAKES KNICKS' SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER: The New York Knicks have signed former Indiana forward Race Thompson to its Las Vegas Summer League team, according to a release from Indiana and multiple reports. The league runs from July 7-17. CLICK HERE
• WOODSON ON NBA POTENTIAL: Following his second season at Indiana, coach Mike Woodson sent two players to the 2023 NBA Draft. The Los Angeles Lakers took Jalen Hood-Schifino at No. 17, and the Golden State Warriors traded for Jackson-Davis at No. 57. Woodson envisions a bright future for both. CLICK HERE
• PACERS EXPLAIN PASSING ON JACKSON-DAVIS: The Indiana Pacers had multiple opportunities to draft former Indiana Hoosier Trayce Jackson-Davis, but Pacers GM Chad Buchanan said both sides felt the fit was not right. CLICK HERE
• TOM BREW COLUMN: Trayce Jackson-Davis had to wait a long time to hear his name called in the 2023 NBA Draft Thursday night, but this morning that doesn't matter at all. He's got a good fit in Golden State, and it's up to him to prove he can help them win games — and titles — right away. CLICK HERE
• JACKSON-DAVIS FALLS TO WARRIORS: After a first-team All-American senior season at Indiana, Trayce Jackson-Davis will play alongside Steph Curry next season. The Washington Wizards selected Jackson-Davis with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, then traded his draft rights to the Warriors. CLICK HERE
• STEPHEN A. SMITH COMMENTS ON HOOD-SCHIFINO: ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith sees promise in Jalen Hood-Schifino joining LeBron James in Los Angeles, but said he'll need to shoot 3-pointers at a high level in order to help the Lakers. CLICK HERE
• LAKERS PICK HOOD-SCHIFINO: After winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Indiana, Jalen Hood-Schifino was taken with the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. CLICK HERE