Five-star Mackenzie Mgbako is among the most highly coveted players in the country. We analyze the school Kansas basketball is competing with and the potential fit for each team.
One day ago, the Kansas Jayhawks received good news when five-star recruit Mackenzie Mgbako cut his list to two. He will be choosing between Indiana and KU on Friday.
Since he de-committed from Duke a month ago, the Jayhawks have pursued Mgbako heavily. But how might the fit materialize if he attends IU instead? Let’s see how the Hoosiers team lines up for the upcoming season.
Indiana Hoosiers (Big Ten)
2022-23 record: 23-12 (12-8), 2nd in Big Ten, lost in Round of 32 to Miami
Returning contributors:
PG Xavier Johnson (9.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 41.5% FG)
PF Malik Reneau (6.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.8 APG, 55.3% FG)
CG Trey Galloway (6.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 46.2% 3PT)
Key additions:
C Kel’el Ware (Oregon, transfer)
F Anthony Walker (Miami, transfer)
C Payton Sparks (Ball State, transfer)
If there is one thing that Indiana can offer that Kansas cannot, it is the keys to the offense. With Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino departing to the NBA, Mgbako would immediately become one of the top scorers for the Hoosiers. Mike Woodson can guarantee him playing time and a spot in the starting rotation.
IU is undergoing a roster overhaul, returning just one starter from last year’s team — two if you count Xavier Johnson before he was injured. Although they squandered a considerable amount of talent, the additions of Ware and Walker should soften the blow of losing two All-Big Ten players. They are connected to other transfer portal players (Jordan Dingle?) and have two scholarships remaining, as do the Jayhawks.
Mgbako is far more paramount for the Hoosiers than he is for Kansas. Whereas he would arguably become the best player on the team at IU, he might be the third or fourth-best player at KU. Kansas is also in an excellent position to win the conference and contend for a national title even without Mgbako.
It is hard to say which decision is better for Mgbako’s long-term career. Does he want to be “the guy” with Indiana and have more offensive freedom, or does he want to prove to NBA scouts that he can play within a system and maintain a consistent role? Both schools have compelling arguments as to why they would be good for him. It will not be an easy decision whatsoever.
Kansas Jayhawks (Big 12)
2022-23 record: 28-8 (13-5), 1st in Big 12, lost in Round of 32 to Arkansas
Returning contributors:
PG Dajuan Harris (8.9 PPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 47.1% FG)
PF KJ Adams (10.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 62.2% FG)
Key additions:
C Hunter Dickinson (Michigan, transfer)
CG Nick Timberlake (Towson, transfer)
CG Elmarko Jackson (5-star recruit)
CG Arterio Morris (Texas, transfer)
F Marcus Adams Jr. (4-star recruit)
We know that Kansas is a blue-blood program. We know they just acquired the best player in the transfer portal. We know they will be a top-three team in next year’s preseason rankings. But does this matter at all to Mgbako?
As I mentioned in the previous slide, by no means does Kansas “need” Mgbako for next year’s team. Would he make them better? Obviously. But when you have a Hall of Fame head coach that just coached a team with the worst bench of all Power 5 programs to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, KU will be fine with or without him.
However, Mgbako just puts this team over the top if Kansas acquires him. The Jayhawks have a total of six guards on next year’s roster and only one wing player. They could probably get away with a lack of size now that they have a 7-foot-1 dominant post-scoring big man, but Mgbako offers shot-making, an elite jumper, and athleticism in addition to his 6-foot-8 frame.
The fact that Indiana is competing with KU for a player of his caliber is good news for them on its own. However, if I had to predict it, Mgbako will commit to Kansas on Friday. Despite what some Hoosier fans might believe, he would be guaranteed playing time under Bill Self. Our frontcourt is steeper than one might think. Mgbako is the cherry on top for the Jayhawks to become the best team in the country going into 2023.
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