Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako to enter the transfer portal
Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako is entering the transfer portal, according to multiple reports Monday afternoon.
Mgbako confirmed the news on his Instagram account and added that he’ll also enter his name in the 2025 NBA draft.
“After careful consideration and thorough reflection of my time at Indiana University, I would like to express my profound gratitude for the past two years. Wearing the iconic red and white has been a truly remarkable experience, and Indiana will always remain a formative part of my journey,” Mgbako wrote.
“Given recent changes in the coaching staff, I have decided in consultation with my family that testing the waters of the NBA is the best course of action. In choosing this path, I am able to retain my eligibility in the transfer portal while also keeping an eye on developments within the In.
“To my teammates, your camaraderie and dedication have made each and every day working together a rewarding experience. I consider you lifelong brothers. To Coach Woodson, I extend my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to play under your leadership and for the trust you placed in me. To the coaching staff, thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to my development, both on and off the court. With deep appreciation, thank you Indiana for everything!”
A 2023 McDonald’s All-American, Mgbako was the Big Ten freshman of the year in the 2023-24 season for the Hoosiers.
As a sophomore at Indiana, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.1 minutes per game.
Over 65 career games, Mgbako owns career averages of 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He is a career 32.8 percent 3-point shooter.
One of the highest-ranked recruits to ever sign with Indiana, Mgbako pledged to Mike Woodson in the spring of 2023 after reopening his recruitment. Mgbako originally signed with Duke but was released from his National Letter of Intent with the Blue Devils.
Mgbako started 64 of the 65 games he played for the Hoosiers but struggled with consistency. Known as a knockdown shooter in high school, the Gladstone, New Jersey native shot only 26.9 percent on 3s in Big Ten games as a sophomore.
One of his best performances in an IU uniform came against Purdue at Mackey Arena on January 31. Mgbako torched the Boilermakers for 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting.
Mgbako also scored 25 points against Providence on November 29 at the Battle 4 Atlantis and scored a career-high 31 points in IU’s season-opening win against SIUE on November 6.
While his 3-point shooting percentage didn’t change much from his freshman to sophomore seasons, Mgbako was much more efficient on 2s in the 2024-25 season. He shot 52.6 percent inside the 3-point arc, up from 45.3 percent as a freshman.
Defense and rebounding often led to Mgbako’s benching late in games. He struggled to stay engaged in both areas if his shots weren’t falling.
He is the third IU player to enter the transfer portal this spring, joining Gabe Cupps and Malik Reneau.
Mgbako has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
