Duke basketball commit Mackenzie Mgbako explodes in championship

Duke basketball commit Mackenzie Mgbako exploded in a championship victory. 

It has been a difficult final season of high school basketball for Duke basketball commit Mackenzie Mgbako but Wednesday provided a major point of encouragement for the future Blue Devil.

Mgbako has not played since January 29 due to a nasty ankle injury suffered against national powerhouse Long Island Lutheran (NY), but returned on Monday in the NJSIAA Non-Public North B semifinals to add 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists off the bench in the victory for Roselle Catholic (NJ).

The 6-foot-8 forward continued to come off the bench in the championship on Wednesday and took the game over the third quarter en route to the 71-61 victory.

The McDonald’s All-American posted 26 points, including four 3-pointers, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals as Roselle Catholic kept its season alive.

https://twitter.com/SCNext/status/1631123276847259648

Mgbako is listed as a five-star prospect and the No. 7 player in the Class of 2024, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and will be joined by Sean Stewart, Jared McCain, Caleb Foster, and TJ Power.

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Each player in the Duke recruiting class is listed as a five-star prospect but the program still trails Kentucky for the highest ranked class in the country.

Duke basketball signee looking to finish high school career on high note

Mackenzie Mgbako was stunningly left out of ESPN’s way-too-early 2024 NBA two-round mock draft which featured uncommitted Sierra Canyon four-star guard Bronny James as a Top-10 pick.

Many anticipated Mgbako to be a consensus Top-10 pick after one season at Duke when next summer’s draft rolls around and some even thought that with a stellar year in Durham he could be in the mix for the top overall selection.

However, Mackenzie Mgbako and the rest of Roselle Catholic will look to win the NJSIAA Non-Public Group B Championship on Friday night (5:00p.m. ET) at Rutgers University.