Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana freshman Mackenzie Mgbako was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday.
The award accounted for Mgbako's three-game stretch against Morehead State, North Alabama and Kennesaw State in which he averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Mgbako went 6-for-16 from 3-point range, or 37.5%, during that 3-0 stretch for the Hoosiers.
Indiana Hoosiers forward Mackenzie Mgbako (21) shoots the ball while Morehead State Eagles guard Jerone Morton (1) defends at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-8 forward is the first Hoosier to win a Big Ten weekly award this season, and he's the first to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Week since Feb. 27, when Jalen Hood-Schifino won the award following his 35-point effort at Purdue. Hood-Schifino won the award four times en route to becoming the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
After a slow start that included four points or fewer in four of his first five games, Mgbako is starting to find his offensive groove for the Hoosiers. He has scored in double figures each of the last eight games, beginning with a career-high 18 points against Harvard. During that time, Mgbako has shot 13-for-36, or 36.1%, after a 1-for-13 start.
Mgbako joined the Hoosiers as a five-star recruit and the No. 8 player in the class of 2023 out of Gladstone, N.J. He and the Hoosiers resume Big Ten play Wednesday at Nebraska. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
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