Duke 5-star commit Mackenzie Mgbako signs NIL deal with G Fuel

Mackenzie Mgbako is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Mgbako, a Duke commit and a 6-foot-8 five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, appears to have a bright future ahead on the court. As a high school athlete in the state of New Jersey, he is also allowed to begin building his NIL brand.

He signed with CAA for representation in June. He’s promoted the Google Pixel, appearing in a commercial next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum and Candace Parker in October. And now Mgbako has signed with the energy drink company G Fuel, promoting its new campaign with Grungy Gentleman.

In a new social media advertisement, he is seen drinking a variety of G Fuel’s products. He’s also representing the brand, rocking new apparel created by the New York fashion brand Grungy Gentleman. Marketed as a supplement for gaming, G Fuel claims to boosts focus and quickens reaction time.

“G FUEL is a huge part of my life as both a student and an athlete, so I’m beyond grateful to be able to do something special through this partnership by bringing fashion to the forefront,” Mgbako said in a statement. “We’re helping to keep people energized and focused with G FUEL, and with the help of Grungy Gentleman, we’re leveling up their wardrobe, too.”

Inside decision to commit to Duke

Mgbako, the No. 6 recruit in the nation, committed to Duke last April, choosing the Blue Devils over Kentucky, Ohio State, and Memphis. He visited with fellow Duke signee Caleb Foster in September 2021 but held off on rushing his commitment.

He met up with Mike Krzyzewski during his time on campus. He also spent time with Duke general manager Rachel Baker, discussing opportunities the Blue Devils’ brand could provide. His relationship with current Duke head coach Jon Scheyer also played a role.

“(Coach Scheyer) is like a best friend to me and a coach at the same time,” Mgbako previously told On3’s Joe Tipton. “He pushes me to be the best version of myself. We can talk about anything. That’s really good, when you can have an on-court relationship and off-court.”

Duke’s 2023 recruiting class ranks No. 2 in the nation with three five-star recruits.

Mgbako missed nearly a month of his senior season, dealing with an ankle injury. He returned in February, finishing the season averaging 16.25 points and 9 rebounds a game. He led Roselle Catholic to another state title earlier this month and is currently participating in McDonald’s All American practices in Houston. The all-star game is set for Tuesday.

Mackenzie Mgbako’s On3 NIL Valuation

He has worked with CAA to sign a couple of deals before he enrolls, and he already has built a solid social media following (more than 31,000). His platform will only get more exposure once he enrolls at Duke.

Mgbako has a $439,000 On3 NIL Valuation, which ranks No. 12 in high school basketball.

The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.

About On3 NIL Valuation, Brand Value, Roster Value

While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.

The On3 NIL Valuation accounts for an athlete’s roster value and brand value. Roster value is the value an athlete has by being a member of his or her team at his or her school, which factors into the role of NIL collectives. Brand value factors in an athlete’s personal brand and the value it could bring to regional and national brands outside of the scope of NIL collectives.