Duke basketball: Ex-signee Mackenzie Mgbako announces decision

Former Duke basketball signee Mackenzie Mgbako has announced his college decision. 

Friday night was decision day for former Duke basketball signee Mackenzie Mgbako as he narrowed his choices down to two options, Kansas or Indiana.

St. John’s and Louisville were also options for the 5-star wing but after completing an in-home visit with Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino and touring the campus, Mgbako cut the Johnnies from his finalists.

Louisville was the perceived favorites to land Mackenzie Mgbako once he reopened his recruitment in April, because of his relationship with former Blue Devil assistant coach Nolan Smith, but the Cardinals never got a visit from the New Jersey native.

Nevertheless, Kansas was the favorite until it wasn’t and Mgbako announced his commitment to Indiana on Friday night.

The 6-foot-8 forward is ranked as the No. 8 player in the Class of 2023, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, as well as the No. 2 power forward and No. 3 player coming out of New Jersey.

Indiana now has the No. 10 recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports. 

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The highest ranked high school recruit for the Hoosiers, before the commitment of Mgbako, was Gabe Cupps at No. 91 overall.

However, head coach Mike Woodson did land major impact transfer Kel’el Ware from Oregon to help bolster the roster.

Duke basketball still confident despite losing 5-star prospect

Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils are still feeling good about themselves despite losing its top ranked recruit in Mackenzie Mgbako.

The Blue Devils still hold 5-star prospects Caleb Foster, Jared McCain, Sean Stewart, and TJ Power, which ranks as the No. 2 class in the country.

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Mgbako announced his decommitment from Duke hours before Kyle Filipowski announced he would be returning to Durham for his sophomore season.

Mark Mitchell and Tyrese Proctor also announced their intentions to return to Duke next season and captain Jeremy Roach, who was testing the NBA Draft waters, announced on Monday that he is withdrawing from the draft process and coming back for his senior season.