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

[Stuhoo]

Louisville can likely put together a massive NIL package. 

[RaceToTheTop]

5 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

They have a personal connection to Louisville.  And Kansas is just plain hard to beat unless the roster is jammed up/filled.  Probably still a hugely uphill battle for us, and with the Ledlum stuff we are probably a little late???

Jaylen Tyson has a visit planned for Kansas this weekend.   6'7" wing, ranked 36th in the 2021 class.  Averaged 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in 29 minutes per game at Texas Tech.  Good shooter, shot 40% from three (43 of 107).  If he were to commit to Kansas and Mgako is looking to go somewhere looking to be a 3, that would be helpful for IU's cause.

[RaceToTheTop]

FWIW, google Mackenzie Mgabko and you'll find about half of all sites listing him as a power forward and half listing him as a small forward.  Call him a combo.

[Crimson and Cream]

I'm assuming wherever this kid goes playing time won't be an issue. NIL and getting him to the league in the best shape likely will be. Be tough to beat out these teams in NIL but Woody should have the leg up in the latter.

[JSHoosier]

3 hours ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

This is the level of player we should consistently be recruiting and landing. Hope they can get him. 

I don't have high hopes, but yes this is the caliber of player we should be going after.

I like Cupps and Newton but they should rounding out a class that has a player like this, not the only players in the class.

[cthomas]

5 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

It's remarkable because so many of the guys he follows were either high school teammates, fellow McDonald's AA's, or associated with Duke basketball. 

And also Gabe Cupps.

I've liked this kid for a while now and I believe is going to be a fan favorite from the time he sets foot on campus. We get hung up on ratings and then dismiss kids like Cupps because they are not 5*. But he knows how to run a team and he will be willing to do whatever is asked of him. All he has ever done is win.

[cthomas]

32 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Louisville can likely put together a massive NIL package. 

I know this is the world we live in now. And I don't blame the kids one bit for trying to cash in on the stupidity that is college basketball today. It's not their fault and if I were them I'd do the same thing. But what this sport has become sickens me.

[realTomCrean]

9 hours ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

Need a Chris bomb after his visit and I will give 5 of my finest goats

**George Bush has entered the chat 

[jbeaman9]

15 hours ago, Bowhunter said:

Wonder what order visits will be in

Read from another site that St. John's is this weekend, IU is end of next week (maybe the weekend). The other two are unknown as far as officially set dates. Some have speculated that he will go St. Johns, to Louisville, to IU, then Kansas. Louisville board is where that came from. They also think if that is the schedule and he leaves Louisville without committing and makes it to the IU official, that their chances go way down. 

[JSHoosier]

5 minutes ago, jbeaman9 said:

Read from another site that St. John's is this weekend, IU is end of next week (maybe the weekend). The other two are unknown as far as officially set dates. Some have speculated that he will go St. Johns, to Louisville, to IU, then Kansas. Louisville board is where that came from. They also think if that is the schedule and he leaves Louisville without committing and makes it to the IU official, that their chances go way down. 

If I was a UL fan I'd like the chances of getting him.  Lead recruiter for Duke is there now and they have some money.

[CSP]

More worried about KU than UL. 

[jbeaman9]

2 minutes ago, btownqb said:

More worried about KU than UL. 

My question, how many open spots does Kansas currently have? I understand more room can always be made.

[Demo]

40 minutes ago, jbeaman9 said:

Read from another site that St. John's is this weekend, IU is end of next week (maybe the weekend). The other two are unknown as far as officially set dates. Some have speculated that he will go St. Johns, to Louisville, to IU, then Kansas. Louisville board is where that came from. They also think if that is the schedule and he leaves Louisville without committing and makes it to the IU official, that their chances go way down. 

They’ve all got perfectly legit, but pretty different, pitches. From a purely basketball/development perspective, IU’s may be the best. But, St John’s has the face of the program Renaissance/Pitino angle, U of L has a bunch of money and his lead recruiter from Duke and KU’s  KU. Sure of 1 thing: None of “The campus felt like home” crap on this one. His choice will make his priorities pretty clear. And I don’t mean that critically.

 

[Demo]

12 minutes ago, jbeaman9 said:

My question, how many open spots does Kansas currently have? I understand more room can always be made.

They’d have room. The question would be fit. They’ve got Elmarko Jackson, Chris Johnson and Marcus Adams coming in, and those kids are all shot hunters. The reason Mgbako de-committed from Duke is because with a couple of returnees with what they have coming in the roster got kind of stuffed. I’m sure he’s looking for minutes and a lead role in the offense. IU has a great pitch on those points.

[jbeaman9]

7 minutes ago, Demo said:

They’d have room. The question would be fit. They’ve got Elmarko Jackson, Chris Johnson and Marcus Adams coming in, and those kids are all shot hunters. The reason Mgbako de-committed from Duke is because with a couple of returnees with what they have coming in the roster got kind of stuffed. I’m sure he’s looking for minutes and a lead role in the offense. IU has a great pitch on those points.

IU has an almost perfect pitch to him. A strong, mature, seasoned lead guard to help set the table. A highly ranked big that will most certainly require attention inside. Plenty of open minutes and shots from the wing with no current sure-fire options. Former NBA HC with proven track record of development and getting guys to the league (I know its not official yet but JHS and TJD gong higher than projected before the season will help). NIL potential.

Some of the other choices can offer a few of those, none can offer ALL of them like IU can.

[Banksyrules]

I’m not saying I know his mindset but the only reason he left Duke was because of lack of playing time. That’s what the word is here. 

[AKHoosier]

Isn't Louisville going to suck again next year? Their best player transferred to Arkansas.

I know money talks, but showcasing your talent on a winning team while getting paid would have to trump an even bigger payday on an awful team. I'd understand if he felt differently though.

[RaceToTheTop]

8 minutes ago, Banksyrules said:

I’m not saying I know his mindset but the only reason he left Duke was because of lack of playing time. That’s what the word is here. 

playing time, or offensive role?  Duke is certain to spread the scoring around next season but I can't I don't envision he would have had trouble getting on the court.

[Hoosierfan1901]

1 hour ago, jbeaman9 said:

My question, how many open spots does Kansas currently have? I understand more room can always be made.

1-2 scholarships 

[Stuhoo]

10 minutes ago, AKHoosier said:

Isn't Louisville going to suck again next year? Their best player transferred to Arkansas.

I know money talks, but showcasing your talent on a winning team while getting paid would have to trump an even bigger payday on an awful team. I'd understand if he felt differently though.

Louisville will be far, far more talented than last year, but will still be a sub-par team. However, for many players with thoughts of one and done, that is not a big issue. If he's good enough and is featured and becomes a lottery pick, and rakes in a ton of NIL in his one college year? That is the winning formula for some players. Not saying that's him.

Our pitch will be; lots of NIL, a coach that "knows how to NBA,"  a staff that will teach defense and cure the weaknesses in your game, and a strong supporting cast that will make you look good and get you the ball so that you can succeed. 

If I'm him, the difference between Xavier Johnson Gabe Cupps vs Skyyyyy Clark is the single best factor for him picking IU. If Rayj Dennis came to IU that would make it even better. If we could get Dennis and Mgbako on campus at the same time together next weekend that would be best of all.