Mackenzie Mgbako’s return to Indiana a vital roster domino to fall, six scholarships still left to fill

Indiana freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako will return to the Hoosiers next season, a huge boost for Mike Woodson’s revamped roster.

The latest Indiana basketball roster domino fell Saturday afternoon as Big Ten co-Freshman of the Year Mackenzie Mgbako is set to return to Bloomington next season, according to a report from 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London. Mgbako posted a graphic to his Instagram profile shortly after with the words “Run It Back #HoosierNation” front and center.

After weeks of uncertainty surrounding Mgbako’s status, his decision to remain at Indiana for his sophomore season is a significant development for Mike Woodson and his staff. Mgbako was reportedly going to test NBA Draft waters this spring and gain feedback from executives and scouts prior to making a stay-or-go decision, but it appears he is fully locked in at Indiana.

Mgbako is the sixth confirmed returner from last season’s IU team, joining Malik Reneau, Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal, Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton. The Hoosiers also gained a commitment this past week from 2024 McDonald’s All-American wing Bryson Tucker, bringing IU’s scholarship count to seven filled and six still available.

Mgbako’s steady development offered an encouraging glimpse into the kind of player he could become next season. The former McDonald’s All-American started in all 33 games as a freshman, averaging 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, and shooting 39.5 percent from the field, 32.7 percent from 3-point range and 82.1 percent at the free throw line.

However, it was truly a tale of two halves for Mgbako in his debut campaign. Through the first 15 games of the season, Mgbako struggled to stay on the court due to foul issues and defensive struggles, averaging just 9.4 points in 21.0 minutes per game. But across the final 18 contests, Mgbako saw those numbers significantly improve to 14.6 points in 32 minutes per game.

As Mgbako learned to stay away from foul trouble — at least early in games — and stay on the court for longer stretches, his confidence on offense began to soar. In a six-game stretch from Feb. 18 to March 6, Mgbako shot 42.9 percent from 3-point range on 2.5 makes per game. Additionally, his willingness to take defenders off the dribble and finish through contact in the paint added an important dimension to Mgbako’s offensive arsenal.

While Mgbako’s defense still has a ways to go before becoming a true asset, he was more fundamentally sound and aware as the season progressed on that end of the floor. Where as early in the season Mgbako was constantly caught flat-footed, ball-watching or out of position, those instances became far less common with experience. At 6-foot-8 and 217 pounds, Mgbako’s length and size portends to a functional defender in time, though he’ll need to keep making strides in that area.

 

Perhaps most importantly, though, Mgbako’s return means another highly-talented player who understands Woodson’s system and won’t have to start from scratch. Of course, Mgbako’s scoring prowess is a major boon for the Hoosiers, but his familiarity with Woodson’s offensive and defensive philosophies might be even more vital, especially as Indiana is expected to add six or seven newcomers this offseason.

Mgbako’s sophomore development will be fascinating to monitor given his improvements in just one season. Toward the end of last season it was clear his confidence and comfortability were sky-high, and if he can carry that into the 2024-25 campaign, then Mgbako’s potential could heavily determine Indiana’s ceiling as a team.

Now, with Mgbako back in Bloomington, all eyes remain on Woodson to build a roster that fits around Mgbako, Reneau, Galloway and others. Adding Tucker in another late recruitment is a terrific first step, though the Hoosiers still have six scholarships to fill, which won’t be an easy process.