Mackenzie Mgbako Picks Indiana Over Kansas

The five-star recruit was high on the Jayhawks' board.

One of the most highly coveted incoming freshmen is now off the board, but he’s not coming to Kansas, as five-star recruit Mackenzie Mgbako announced Friday evening that he is going to Indiana. Kansas was one of two final schools in the running.

Mgbako is a 6-8, 210-pound power forward out of New Jersey who originally committed to Duke before decommitting after the news that Kyle Filipowski would be returning to Durham. Mgbako is the No. 8 player in the class according to 247Sports’ composite ranking, and the No. 2 power forward, and was a McDonald’s All-American this year.

Mgbako was a good fit on paper for the Kansas roster. 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein called Mgbako’s ability to shoot from deep his best asset, and also praised his shot creation overall, saying “He can also make the types of shots that translate to the next level - pick-and-pop threes, slipping out of ball screens to make shots on the move, or creating space with a series of side-step or step-back shots.”

Now Bill Self will have to go to plans B and C to fill out the front court. Kansas could still use another four who could split time with KJ Adams and the Jayhawks still likely need to add depth behind Hunter Dickinson with Ernest Udeh and Zuby Ejiofor transferring out. KU still has three additional scholarship spots available to do that. 

Kansas also travels to Bloomington to face Indiana on December 16.