Indiana men’s basketball sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako is entering the transfer portal and the NBA draft, he announced in an Instagram post Monday.
“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,” Mgbako said in the statement. “In choosing this path, I am able to retain my eligibility in the transfer portal while also keeping an eye on developments within the Indiana program.”
Along with thanking his teammates and former head coach Mike Woodson, who stepped down at the end of the season, Mgbako described his time in the candy stripes as a “truly remarkable experience.” He added Indiana will always be a “massive part” of his journey.
Mgbako is the third Hoosier to hit the portal since the team’s season ended without an NCAA Tournament bid March 16, joining junior forward Malik Reneau and sophomore guard Gabe Cupps. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-9, 222-pound Mgbako started 64 of his 65 appearances in the Cream and Crimson, averaging 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Across two seasons, Mgbako shot 41.5% from the field and 32.8% from distance.
Rated as a five-star recruit in the 2023 class by several outlets, Mgbako earned co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2024 after averaging 12.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game across 33 starts.
Mgbako endured an up-and-down 2024-25 season. He had 31 points in a season-opening win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Nov. 6, and he exited November averaging 17.2 points per game.
But over his next 11 appearances, Mgbako scored in double figures just four times. During the final 13 games of the season, the Gladstone, New Jersey, native found middle ground, averaging 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest. He finished the campaign averaging 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 43.7% from the field.
Mgbako is the first player to enter the portal since head coach Darian DeVries, who Indiana hired March 18, was introduced as the program’s next head coach March 19. Mgbako did not close the door on a potential return.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa) and columnist Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball offseason.
