Two Duke Basketball Signees Now Rank Above Mackenzie Mgbako

From the time Roselle Catholic (N.J.) small forward Mackenzie Mgbako committed to the Duke basketball program in April 2022 until asking for a release from his national letter of intent a year later, pretty much every recruiting site had him as the highest-ranked 2023 prize for the Blue Devils.

Last summer, he reached as high as No. 2 on the 247Sports 2023 Composite.

But in the eyes of On3, which released its final 2023 ranking on Monday, Mgbako no longer sits above two of Duke's four remaining signees in Montverde (Fla.) power forward Sean Stewart (ranks No. 12) and Centennial (Calif.) combo guard Jared McCain (No. 13).

This future Blue Devil is UNREAL.
Sean Stewart (no. 7 ESPN 💯) with the double clutch!@Sean13Stewart @NIBCOfficial @PaulBiancardi pic.twitter.com/Qr6ZgIpBm2
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) December 1, 2022

Mgbako, who appears to be nearing a decision with four schools seemingly in play (St. John's, Kansas, Indiana, Louisville), comes in at No. 15 on the On3 Ranking. And he boasts only a four-star rating, albeit as the highest-ranked four-star.

On3 shows Stewart and McCain as the only two five-stars in the Duke basketball class. As for the other two incoming Blue Devils, Notre Dame (Calif.) point guard Caleb Foster and Worcester (Mass.) combo forward TJ Power are four-star talents, per On3, ranking No. 19 and No. 23, respectively.

Stewart and McCain are the only Duke signees who played in the McDonald's All-American Game in late March. The night before the game in Houston, Stewart won the dunk contest — ironically, he jumped over Mgbako for one dunk — while McCain snagged the 3-point shootout crown.

Jared McCain made 19 of 25 shots in the 3 pt contest 😳 all 19 makes for the future Duke sharpshooter 🎯 @McDAAG @JaredMcCain_ pic.twitter.com/D2lODbA7RF
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) March 28, 2023

Mgbako, still on tap to play his college ball in Durham when the showcase took place, was also a McDonald's All-American.

Duke's four heralded newcomers will join a formidable cast of returning players, highlighted by a trio of returning sophomores and full-time starters in Tyrese Proctor, Mark Mitchell, and ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Filipowski.

Most experts see the Blue Devils starting the second season with Jon Scheyer at the helm at No. 1 in the country.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for more Duke basketball recruiting updates.