Mackenzie Mgbako signs with Duke Blue Devils

On3 Consensus five-star recruit Mackenzie Mgbako has made it official, signing his National Letter of Intent to Duke.

The 6-foot-8 small forward out of Roselle (N.J.) Catholic committed to the Blue Devils back in April, beating out the likes of Kentucky, Ohio State, and Memphis.

Duke has a five-man class in 2023 and joining Mgbako is five-stars Caleb Foster, Sean Stewart, Jared McCain, and four-star TJ Power.

Mackenzie Mgbako ranks as the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, the average ranking from all four major recruiting media companies. 

Mgbako on his commitment to Duke

“When I first got there (on the visit), I immediately knew,” Mgbako explained. “I just had to see all of my options and think about it strategically because I didn’t want to jump the gun or anything. So I just waited to see how the season went, waited to see how the relationships with other schools went, and I just felt like Duke was the best decision for me, with education and athletics.”

“(Coach Scheyer) is like a best friend to me and a coach at the same time,” Mgbako said. “He pushes me to be the best version of myself. We can talk about anything. That’s really good, when you can have an on-court relationship, and off-court.”

“(The Brotherhood) is different, that’s facts. It’s an inclusiveness, a family-oriented, and just the atmosphere. That’s what sets it apart.”

Scouting Summary

It is all about the jump shot. The release is consistent, high, and soft. Mgbako steps into it confidently off the catch and his balance is right on. Then you see the positional size at 6-foot-8/6-foot-9 and you see the attraction. Past the jump shot, Mgbako attacks closeouts in a straight line. His handle is average, his hips seem a little stiff, and he is a slightly above average athlete. Despite each of these being a concern moving forward, the shooting and the confidence are very real traits here and he rebounds his area. Mgbako has consistently performed at a high level is big settings. – On3’s Jamie Shaw