The future is now.
Just a day after 2023 guard Tyrese Proctor announced his intentions to become a Blue Devil, Duke picked up another huge commitment from Mackenzie Mgbako, the No. 3 overall player and top small forward in the Class of 2023.
Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff beat out Kentucky, Memphis and Ohio State for Mgbako. It was not a major surprise to recruiting analysts, though, as Duke received three crystal balls for Mgbako via 247 Sports Wednesday.
Mgbako is the fourth top-five recruit to commit to the Blue Devils since Scheyer was named the program’s next head coach in June 2021. Now that the 34-year-old has taken over after Mike Krzyzewski’s tenure came to a close in the Final Four, the priority likely concerns finalizing the 2022-23 roster and securing future top-tier commitments. Locking in Mgbako checks that second box with ease.
Mgbako is a prototypically smooth wing with an ability to score at all levels. The Gill St. Bernard’s junior has a smooth and compact jumper, can get to his spot off the dribble and possesses great footwork.
Despite being a self-described “point-forward”, the New Jersey native does not need the ball in his hands on every possession to be effective. Mgbako projects as a flexible cog in Scheyer’s scheme as a floor-spacer, slasher and screener.
Defensively, the 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward is light on his feet and is capable of defending guards along the perimeter. On the glass, Mgbako’s strength allows him to snag boards, and he can jump-start breaks with a hit-ahead.
Mgbako joins fellow top prospects Proctor, Caleb Foster, Jared McCain and Sean Stewart in Duke’s 2023 class.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.
Max Rego is a Trinity senior and an associate sports editor for The Chronicle's 118th volume. He was previously sports managing editor for Volume 117.