Duke 5-star signee Mackenzie Mgbako reportedly trending toward reopening recruitment

Could Kentucky look to add a sixth piece to its 2023 recruiting class?

According to Travis Branham of 247Sports, Duke five-star signee Mackenzie Mgbako is trending toward backing out of his national letter of intent with the Blue Devils, reopening his recruitment and immediately making him the most sought-after high school senior on the market. Mgbako, a 6-foot-8 wing, is considered the No. 6 overall ’23 prospect in the country, per the On3 Consensus.

“Based on gathered information, I have removed my Crystal Ball for Mgbako to ultimately end up with the Blue Devils next season,” Branham wrote.

While nothing is official yet and it’s unclear if Kentucky would even get involved if Mgbako were to back out of his NLI with Duke, there is certainly plenty of history between the two sides. The New Jersey product played AAU basketball for the NJ Scholars alongside a pair of incoming Kentucky freshmen, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw. Mgbako also earned an official scholarship offer from head coach John Calipari and even visited Lexington for Big Blue Madness in 2021.

What you think, Mackenzie Mgbako + DJ Wagner? #BBN #KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/hUUkiDWwNu

— Mackenzie Mgbako (@MackenzieMgbako) October 15, 2021

#BBN #notcommited pic.twitter.com/g3Sis4LNzZ

— Mackenzie Mgbako (@MackenzieMgbako) October 18, 2021

Mgbako, a 2023 McDonald’s All-American, committed to Duke in April 2022. His Top 4 included the Blue Devils, Kentucky, Memphis, and Ohio State. Calipari also visited Mgbako shortly after his trip to Big Blue Madness. The connection is there for UK to get involved once again if the staff chooses to do so.

Don’t count out Louisville though and Mgbako’s relationship with assistant coach Nolan Smith, who initially recruited Mgbako to Duke before taking a job on Kenny Payne’s staff. North Carolina is also expected to get involved.

The other aspect of this news revolves around what’s going on with Duke. Right before Branham backed off his Crystal Ball pick, Jeff Goodman of Stadium cryptically tweeted out that he was going to move Duke up to his preseason No. 1. Soon after, star freshman Kyle Filipowski announced his return to the Blue Devils.