Kentucky unlikely to pursue former Duke signee Mackenzie Mgbako

Five-star forward Mackenzie Mgbako is officially available, requesting a release from his National Letter of Intent with Duke on Tuesday.

The No. 6 overall prospect in the 2023 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Mgbako backed away from his year-long commitment to the Blue Devils, joining the five-man recruiting class last April. Five-stars Caleb Foster, Sean Stewart, and Jared McCain, along with four-star TJ Power, round out the four remaining pieces in Jon Scheyer’s upcoming signing class.

Mgbako broke the news with On3’s Joe Tipton.

“After long thought, prayers and discussions with my parents and trusted advisors, I am writing to formally request a release from my NLI to Duke University,” he announced. “While I have great appreciation and respect for the Duke coaching staff and fans for their interest in me, I feel that there will be other places for me to continue my basketball journey, so I will be re-opening the recruiting process to all schools. Sending a big thanks to all my supporters, friends, and family for continuing to show love.”

The 6-foot-8 forward originally committed to Duke over Kentucky, Ohio State and Memphis. With so much back-and-forth regarding the Wildcats’ stay/go decisions, many have penciled in Mgbako as a potential fit in Lexington — stretch four to replace Jacob Toppin and Chris Livingston, perhaps? It makes sense on paper. He’s a knockdown shooter and played with Kentucky signees DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw with the New Jersey Scholars on the Nike EYBL circuit.

Shoot, Mgbako and Wagner even visited together for Big Blue Madness back in 2021.

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

— Mackenzie Mgbako (@MackenzieMgbako) October 15, 2021

Could the grassroots trio team up again in Lexington? That’s highly unlikely, sources tell KSR, as Kentucky is not expected to pursue the five-star forward out of Gladstone, NJ.

Instead, John Calipari plans to fill out the rest of the roster with returning pieces and veterans in the transfer portal. The goal is to find complementary players to fit alongside Kentucky’s five incoming freshmen, a mix of young and old.

At the end of the day, a sixth rookie — one expecting shots and a significant role — isn’t a path Calipari plans on taking.

Kentucky is not expected to be involved for Duke signee Mackenzie Mgbako, sources tell KSR.

John Calipari exploring veteran options to complement five-man recruiting class in 2023

Expect Louisville to make a push with North Carolina looming, as well.

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) April 11, 2023

Where could Mgbako end up? Keep an eye on the Louisville Cardinals, where former Duke assistant Nolan Smith is on Kenny Payne’s staff. He recruited the five-star forward to be a Blue Devil and made it clear he was welcome to join him at Louisville if he was interested. Now free of his NLI, a reunion with Smith could be on the horizon as a Cardinal — with the help of World Wide Wes, who would like to help Payne get his first statement signee as a head coach.

What other options are out there? North Carolina is a possibility, as is the pro route. Things could move fairly quickly with the former Blue Devil — it just won’t be with Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.