Travis Branham of 24/7 Sports is reporting the University of Louisville is leading in the recruitment of Mackenzie Mgbako. On his weekly podcast, Wednesday Night, Branham said, “Every single school is reaching out to him essentially. In particular, the options I have been hearing, number 1 Louisville.”
Travis Branham credits Louisville assistant coach Nolan Smith for the immediate advantage. “There’s a previous connection there with him (Nolan Smith) being a former Duke assistant and part of the initial recruiting process for Mgbako. There’s a connection there and also a big need and opportunity for Louisville to continue making big splashes on the recruiting trail. Don’t sleep on them when it comes to them making a very, very strong push on them getting Mgbako.”
Mackenzie Mgbako requested his NIL release Sunday after committing to the Duke Bluedevils. Duke Freshmen center Kyle Filipowski announced he would not enter the NBA draft, triggering Mackenzie Mgbako’s withdrawal. According to Travis Branham, Mgbako is again considering Duke rival North Carolina or sidestepping college and joining the NBA G League for the 2023-2024 season.
Mackenzie Mgbako, the prospect
According to ESPN writer Jeff Borzello, Mgbako was the top prospect in Duke’s number 2 ranked recruiting class. He’s considered the number 2 power forward in the nation, behind only Texas commit Ron Holland and the number 8 overall player overall. He committed to Duke in April 2022 when Nolan Smith was still on staff.
Mgbako is one of the top high school shooters in the country. He has an uncanny ability to step back and pull up, and he has range. Mgbako spent last off-season working out with Kyrie Irving and models his game off his favorite player Jason Tatum. Mackenzie Mgbako is 6’9 and a solid 210 pounds, and Jason Tatum is 6’8 and 210 pounds.
The Louisville Cardinals 2023 rank fifth in the nation, slightly behind Connecticut and Michigan State; if Mgbako does follow Nolan Smith to Louisville, the Cardinals would immediately jump to the third-highest class in the country. Undeniably, Louisville’s best recruiting endeavor in the school’s history.
Likewise, Mackenzie Mgbako would immediately be a starter, taking Brandon Huntley-Hatfield‘s role as starting Power Forward, giving the Louisville Cardinals 2023-2024 starting five of Mackenzie Mgbako, Mike James, Trentyn Flowers, Dennis Evans, and Skyy Clark: all underclassmen and all NBA level talent.
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