2023 SF/PF Mackenzie Mgbako to Texas A&M via Portal

[8bucks 7,586]

  On 3/31/2024 at 5:27 PM, Adillac said:

Mgbako has little chance at being drafted unless he can showcase a 40%+ 3pt shot with high volume. He has good size but unless he’s hitting 3s at a high rate, he just doesn’t have the athleticism to do much else at the next level. If he were as athletic as Gallo, he’d be already gone. 

I think getting NBA feedback is less about getting drafted now but having NBA people advise on what he needs to improve his stock. 

[bigrod 3,202]

  On 3/31/2024 at 6:41 PM, HoosierTrav said:

He got exponentially better towards the end of the season, on the defensive end. 

True, but he started at a very, very low level.

[HoosierHoopster 8,453]

The guy was co-freshman of the year and there’s still discussion trying to minimize his growth based on early play? Good grief. 
Flip side of that coin - which is getting old - maybe if Woodson had encouraged his shooting and actually run sets for a perimeter game he would have shined earlier? Ya think? I thought he’d come back but honestly we’re lucky, in an actual modern offense emphasizing outside scoring, with plays actually run for it - what a shocker, Woodson - he’d score much more efficiently.

This isn’t directed at anyone in particular above, I just find it surprising that there’s continuing focus on early struggles defensively when the guy earned co-frosh of the year and clearly was a key player for us in doing so

[Stuhoo 89,857]

“Returning B1G co-freshman of the Year” sounds good.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 91,316]

Little brother playing well

[Class of '66 Old Fart 91,316]

Little brother getting some serious recognition.  

[Class of '66 Old Fart 91,316]

[Class of '66 Old Fart 91,316]

Little brother transferring high schools per Samad Hines.

2026 Ethan Mgbako (@ethanmgbako) will be attending powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (VA) for the 2024-2025 high school season — the 6-foot-6 guard out of New Jersey has had a stellar AAU season — an elite pick up for Yerrick Stoneman and his staff with this one

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 91,316]

 

https://www.insidethehall.com/2024/09/03/indianas-mackenzie-mgbako-featured-on-regional-cover-for-lindys-sports-college-basketball-preview/

[HoosierHoopster 8,453]

  On 9/3/2024 at 12:10 PM, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

 

https://www.insidethehall.com/2024/09/03/indianas-mackenzie-mgbako-featured-on-regional-cover-for-lindys-sports-college-basketball-preview/

I particularly like the sizing of the pics on the cover, looks like he's about to run over Braden Smith, maybe that's also figuratively... lol

[LamarCheeks 22,181]

It's No. 20 for No. 21. 

 

[HoosierHoopster 8,453]

^^^ And looking back at our emails last spring, man were we right on Bako, his scoring ability and growth, along with his overall game, is on full display so far -- he's a big time player for this team

[Class of '66 Old Fart 91,316]

At the G-League Elite Camp

[ebridges24 2,710]

  On 5/10/2025 at 10:30 PM, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

At the G-League Elite Camp

Where was this sh!t this past season 

[HoosierHoopster 8,453]

  On 5/10/2025 at 10:56 PM, ebridges24 said:

Where was this sh!t this past season 

Hidden and ruined by Woodson’s complete lack of perimeter sets and schemes.
Said it earlier whether or not people like him he’s a talented player, he’ll do well elsewhere, he just had a sh$t coach

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 12,113]

Glorified AAU with no scouting involved. This kid plays zerooooo meaningful NBA and I'd be borderline shocked to ever see him on a roster. 

[Muskie plays the four 733]

Been said before. But  at 14 to 16 people thought he was the next superstar. 

[HoosierX 1,785]

  On 5/10/2025 at 11:40 PM, HoosierHoopster said:

Hidden and ruined by Woodson’s complete lack of perimeter sets and schemes.
Said it earlier whether or not people like him he’s a talented player, he’ll do well elsewhere, he just had a sh$t coach

Woodson didn't help him to be sure, but in my opinion he just doesn't have it mentally. He'll have some great games, but I think he'll always continue to have disappearing acts. And I doubt his defense will ever even be average.

There's a reason he was so far down in the transfer rankings.

[HoosierHoopster 8,453]

  On 5/11/2025 at 7:36 PM, HoosierX said:

Woodson didn't help him to be sure, but in my opinion he just doesn't have it mentally. He'll have some great games, but I think he'll always continue to have disappearing acts. And I doubt his defense will ever even be average.

There's a reason he was so far down in the transfer rankings.

Time will tell. McD’s players don’t usually fall apart, but a sh@t coach who runs a front court offense only can turn a good perimeter player into a nonproductive player.

[Home Jersey 16,332]

  On 5/11/2025 at 7:56 PM, HoosierHoopster said:

Time will tell. McD’s players don’t usually fall apart, but a sh@t coach who runs a front court offense only can turn a good perimeter player into a nonproductive player.

For me it’s very simple. 

In HS/AAU, he was much bigger than most of his competition and generally more athletic too. He didn’t get great coaching at that level. College level either so far, for sure.

In college the game is much faster and more complex. So his lack of athleticism really hurts at this level and he’s not yet a smart enough player / doesn’t have a very intuitive feel for the game yet.

He is a good shooter and we saw him score by putting it on the floor a little more often too. He will probably score well at A&M if nothing else. Like you said, time will tell.