Just two years ago, Mackenzie Mgbako was among the most highly sought-after high school basketball prospects in the nation. Initially committed to Duke, he made waves by decommitting late in the process, leading to a high-profile recruitment battle. He ultimately chose Indiana over Louisville, but after two seasons in Bloomington, Mgbako has entered the transfer portal once again—this time, with Kentucky emerging as a potential landing spot.
According to Travis Branham of 247 Sports, Mgbako is scheduled to visit Kentucky’s campus on Wednesday as the Wildcats look to strengthen their frontcourt. Head coach Mark Pope is actively building a competitive roster for the 2025-26 season, aggressively pursuing wings and forwards in the transfer market. Kentucky has already secured a commitment from Kam Williams, and Mgbako’s visit comes just a day after Florida State’s Taylor Bol Bowen was on campus.
Pope is clearly prioritizing size and versatility at the small and power-forward positions, and Mgbako fits that mold perfectly. The 6-foot-9 forward was a McDonald’s All-American in the class of 2023 and ranked as a five-star prospect by multiple recruiting outlets. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, which compiles ratings from major scouting services, he was the No. 12 overall player in his class. His combination of size, athleticism, and scoring ability made him an exciting high school prospect, but his college career has been a mix of promising flashes and areas for improvement.
During his two seasons at Indiana, Mgbako showed glimpses of his potential but struggled with consistency. As a freshman, he averaged 12.2 points per game and earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. He maintained the same scoring average in his sophomore season, though his shooting efficiency left room for growth—connecting on just 32.9% of his three-point attempts. Improving his perimeter shooting will be key if he hopes to take the next step in his development.
A major question surrounding Mgbako is whether a change of environment and coaching staff can unlock his full potential. His offensive skills are intriguing, but he needs the right system to flourish. Mark Pope has already proven his ability to assemble a strong roster, and if Mgbako joins Kentucky, he could play a vital role in the Wildcats’ plans next season. With Kentucky remaining active in the transfer portal, Mgbako’s visit will be closely watched. If he commits, it would be another significant addition for Pope as he continues to reshape the team in his first full offseason in charge