The news centers around a former highly-ranked high school basketball prospect who is now in the transfer portal after two seasons at Indiana University. This player, a McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit, initially committed to Duke before decommitting and choosing Indiana. His time at Indiana showed flashes of his potential, but also areas that needed improvement, particularly in his shooting efficiency.
Now, after two seasons with Indiana, the player is exploring other options, and Kentucky is one of the schools he is considering. He is scheduled to visit Kentucky’s campus soon, as the Wildcats are looking to bolster their frontcourt depth. Kentucky’s coach, Mark Pope, is focused on building a competitive roster for the 2025-26 season, and this player fits the type of player they are targeting.
The player in question is Mackenzie Mgbako, a 6-foot-9 forward who was ranked as the No. 12 overall player in his high school class by several recruiting services. His combination of size, athleticism, and scoring ability made him a standout recruit, but his college development has been inconsistent. As a freshman at Indiana, Mgbako averaged 12.2 points per game and earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He posted the same 12.2 points per game as a sophomore, though his shooting efficiency, especially from three-point range (32.9%), remained a challenge.
The key question for Mgbako is whether a change of scenery and a new coaching staff at Kentucky can help him unlock his full potential. If he chooses Kentucky, he could play a significant role in the Wildcats’ plans for the upcoming season. Kentucky is actively working the transfer portal, and Mgbako’s visit is one to watch. If he commits, it would be a notable addition to Pope’s efforts to reshape the roster in his first full offseason as head coach.
