Mackenzie Mgbako will reportedly visit Kentucky

An old rival’s big recruiting win could end up benefiting Kentucky.

This time two years ago, Mackenzie Mgbako was one of the most coveted uncommitted high school recruits in America. He de-committed from Duke late in the process, flirted with Louisville, then pledged his allegiance to Indiana. Now he’s back on the market, and he might just be a Cat.

Travis Branham of 247 Sports reports Mgbako is expected visit Kentucky’s campus in Lexington on Wednesday.

Mgbako was a McDonald’s All-American in the 2023 high school class. The 6-foot-9 athlete was ranked as a five-star prospect by multiple recruiting services and finished as the No. 12 recruit nationally in the class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

His college career got off to a solid start, averaging 12.2 points per game to secure a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Mgbako followed it up by averaging exactly 12.2 points per game last season while shooting just 32.9% from three-point land.

Kentucky is clearly looking for help at the small and power forward position. The Cats already picked up a commitment from Kam Williams. Mgbako is arriving on campus a day after the Cats hosted Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen. Mgbako clearly has an impressive skill-set, but needs someone not named Mike Woodson to unlock his potential. Could it be Mark Pope?

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