Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako, Kel'el Ware Projected First-Round Picks in 2024 NBA Draft

Indiana newcomers Mackenzie Mgbako and Kel'el Ware were included in the top-20 of a 2024 NBA Mock Draft by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.

Mackenzie Mgbako and Kel'el Ware haven't played a game for Indiana yet, but they're already the Hoosiers' top NBA Draft prospects.

Mgbako made a late commitment to Indiana last spring, picking the Hoosiers over coach Bill Self and Kansas. He was originally committed to Duke, but later decided to reopen his recruitment. Mgbako was ranked the No. 8 player in the nation in the high school class of 2023, per the 247 Sports Composite.

Ware transferred to Indiana after spending his freshman year at Oregon. He averaged just 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Ducks, but many still consider the 7-footer an intriguing NBA prospect. Ware was ranked the No. 7 recruit and a McDonald's All-American in the class of 2022 out of North Little Rock, Ark.

Jonathan Wasserman, the Lead Scout and NBA Draft Insider for Bleacher Report, published a 2024 NBA Mock Draft on Tuesday. He included Mgbako and Ware in the top 20, and shared insight into their professional potential.

14. New York Knicks: Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana freshman SF/PF

Wasserman's comments on Mgbako:

"For a 6'8", 217-pound wing, Mackenzie Mgbako's shot-making and play-finishing will quickly stand out. And after decommitting from Duke to join Indiana, he should be looking at an optimal role and freedom to experiment and showcase some newer face-up creation and isolation scoring.

Regardless, he'll make the biggest impact with transition, spot-up and relocation three-point shooting. He also has paint touch, which will show when he's run off the line and forced into floaters.

Mgbako isn't the most explosive, but he's still a fluid straight-line driver at his size.

Tunnel vision, a presumed low assist rate and limited rim pressure may raise the most question marks. Looking competent defending in space will be key to scouts. But they should ultimately detect a safe prospect just based on his physical tools, shooting versatility and flashes of pull-up scoring."

20. New York Knicks: Kel'el Ware, Indiana sophomore center

Wasserman's comments on Ware:

"Scouts mostly acknowledge Ware's lottery talent and NBA fit, but he has something to prove after fading into the background at Oregon. Now with Indiana, he's in a far better situation to build rhythm/confidence and showcase more post skill and shooting touch.

As long as he keeps scouts from thinking he's drifting, Ware has a good chance to win them back with his outstanding finishing/shot-blocking tools and skill level for scoring around the key and popping out for three."

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• KEL'EL WARE IS MIKE WOODSON'S BIGGEST TEST: After losing four starters from last year's team, one of Mike Woodson's biggest additions this offseason was Kel'el Ware, a 7-foot transfer from Oregon. Ware drew plenty of criticism during his freshman year, but still boasts NBA potential. Woodson is pushing him hard to reach that goal, and in a new environment, Ware appears more motivated than ever. CLICK HERE
• MALIK RENEAU BURGER: Indiana coach Mike Woodson didn't know his sophomore forward Malik Reneau had a burger named after him at Big Woods restaurant in Bloomington, but he surely knows that Indiana needs Reneau to take a big step forward as a sophomore, without Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson. CLICK HERE
• WHY ONLY ONE IU-UK GAME AT ASSEMBLY HALL?: Indiana and Kentucky will resume their basketball rivalry in 2025, but the four-game series includes two games at Rupp Arena, one at Lucas Oil Stadium and the last at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Indiana coach Mike Woodson said Tuesday, "That was the only way I could get it done." CLICK HERE
• WARE, BANKS, WALKER INJURY UPDATE: At Big Ten basketball media days Tuesday in Minneapolis, Indiana coach Mike Woodson shared details on injuries to Kel'el Ware, Kaleb Banks and Anthony Walker. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Here's everything Indiana basketball coach Mike Woodson said during his main podium session Tuesday at Big Ten Media Days at the Target Center in Minneapolis. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN MEDIA POLL: In the Big Ten men's basketball preseason media poll, coach Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers were chosen as the conference favorite, while eight teams had players selected to the All-Big Ten first and second teams. Here's the preseason poll, plus individual preseason awards. CLICK HERE