Mackenzie Mgbako Returning to Indiana For Sophomore Season
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana's talented freshman forward, announced on Saturday that he is ''running it back' with the Hoosiers for his sophomore season in 2024-25.
Mgbako, a 6-foot-8 forward from Gladstone, N.J., averaged 12.4 points per game as a freshman. He came to Bloomington this time a year ago after decommitting from Duke. He was hoping to be NBA ready after one season, but it took him time to get comfortable with the college game, especially on the defensive end.
A McDonald's All American last year, it took some time to blend in on the offensive end as well. But he scored in double figures in 16 of his final 18 games, including three 20-point performances. He had a season-high 24 points at Maryland on March 3, and also scored 20 and 22 points in back-to-back games against Northwestern and Nebraska.
Mgbako was named co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He led the team with 50 made three-pointers this year; Trey Gallowaty was next with 26. Mgbako was 50-for-153 on the year from deep, good for 32.7 percent. He was 18-for-44 — 40.9 percent — in his final seven regular season games, but was just 1-for-10 on threes in Indiana's two Big Ten Tournament games.
He led all Big Ten freshman in total points (377), points per game (12.2), 20-point games (3) and made free throws (82).
Mgbako is the sixth Hoosier to announce his return for next year. Seniors Trey Galloway and Anthony said they would return for their fifth COVID season at Senior Day. Sophomore Malik Reneau, anc freshmen Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton said the same this week.
Indiana also added to its roster earlier this week after getting a commitment from five-star small forward Bryson Tucker to the 2024 recruiting class. With center Kel'el Ware announcing he is entering the NBA draft, the Hoosiers still have six roster spots available.
TOM BREW
Tom Brew is an award-winning journalist who has worked at some of America's finest newspapers as a reporter and editor, including the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, the Indianapolis Star and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered college sports in the digital platform for the past six years, including the last five years as publisher of HoosiersNow on the FanNation/Sports Illustrated network.