The Kentucky Wildcats are once again in pursuit of McKenzie Mgbako, a highly regarded former five-star recruit from New Jersey. Under previous head coach John Calipari, Kentucky made a strong push to land Mgbako, given his connections to former Wildcats DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw. Despite that, he initially committed to Duke before changing course and signing with Indiana.
After spending two seasons with the Hoosiers, the former McDonald’s All-American has re-entered the transfer portal and made a visit to Lexington on Wednesday, meeting with new head coach Mark Pope. At 6-foot-9 and 220 pounds, Mgbako has proven to be the kind of player many programs are eager to add, cementing himself as one of the top names in this year’s transfer market.
During his freshman campaign at Indiana, Mgbako posted solid numbers, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, which earned him the Big Ten Freshman of the Year title. While he faced some shooting inconsistencies, his efficiency inside the arc improved significantly in his second year, as he converted 52.6% of his two-point attempts—an indication of his development and adaptability.
One of his biggest strengths has been his ability to draw fouls. As a freshman, he made 112 trips to the free-throw line, a number that dropped to 79 in his sophomore season. This knack for getting to the stripe has been a key part of his game.
At Indiana, Mgbako may not have always been surrounded by the ideal supporting cast, which likely hindered his ability to fully showcase his skills. However, Kentucky’s offensive system could offer him a better platform to thrive.
Now that circumstances have brought him back into Kentucky’s orbit, could this be the perfect opportunity for him to reach his full potential? Only time will tell. With two years of eligibility left, Mgbako remains one of the most intriguing prospects in the transfer portal, and his next move will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the college basketball landscape.
