Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako, Kel'el Ware Projected First-Round Picks in 2024 NBA Draft
Mackenzie Mgbako and Kel'el Ware haven't played a game for Indiana yet, but they're already the Hoosiers' top NBA Draft prospects.
Mgbako made a late commitment to Indiana last spring, picking the Hoosiers over coach Bill Self and Kansas. He was originally committed to Duke, but later decided to reopen his recruitment. Mgbako was ranked the No. 8 player in the nation in the high school class of 2023, per the 247 Sports Composite.
Ware transferred to Indiana after spending his freshman year at Oregon. He averaged just 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Ducks, but many still consider the 7-footer an intriguing NBA prospect. Ware was ranked the No. 7 recruit and a McDonald's All-American in the class of 2022 out of North Little Rock, Ark.
Jonathan Wasserman, the Lead Scout and NBA Draft Insider for Bleacher Report, published a 2024 NBA Mock Draft on Tuesday. He included Mgbako and Ware in the top 20, and shared insight into their professional potential.
14. New York Knicks: Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana freshman SF/PF
Wasserman's comments on Mgbako:
"For a 6'8", 217-pound wing, Mackenzie Mgbako's shot-making and play-finishing will quickly stand out. And after decommitting from Duke to join Indiana, he should be looking at an optimal role and freedom to experiment and showcase some newer face-up creation and isolation scoring.
Regardless, he'll make the biggest impact with transition, spot-up and relocation three-point shooting. He also has paint touch, which will show when he's run off the line and forced into floaters.
Mgbako isn't the most explosive, but he's still a fluid straight-line driver at his size.
Tunnel vision, a presumed low assist rate and limited rim pressure may raise the most question marks. Looking competent defending in space will be key to scouts. But they should ultimately detect a safe prospect just based on his physical tools, shooting versatility and flashes of pull-up scoring."
20. New York Knicks: Kel'el Ware, Indiana sophomore center
"Scouts mostly acknowledge Ware's lottery talent and NBA fit, but he has something to prove after fading into the background at Oregon. Now with Indiana, he's in a far better situation to build rhythm/confidence and showcase more post skill and shooting touch.
As long as he keeps scouts from thinking he's drifting, Ware has a good chance to win them back with his outstanding finishing/shot-blocking tools and skill level for scoring around the key and popping out for three."
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