Indiana transfer forward Mackenzie Mgbako visited Kentucky earlier this month, but he’s landed at another SEC school for the 2025-26 season.
On Thursday, Mgabko committed to the Texas A&M Aggies, where he’ll join first-year head coach Bucky McMillan in College Station. A rising junior, the former McDonald’s All-American will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Aggies. Mgbako was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year with the Hoosiers in 2023-24.
As a sophomore at Indiana in 2024-25, Mgbako averaged 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 25.2 minutes per outing. His two-point efficiency jumped from 45.3 percent as a freshman to 52.6 percent the following season. While only a 32.8 percent shooter from deep (4.6 attempts per game) during his college career, he’s made 81.7 percent of his free throws.
Mgbako was the No. 56 player to enter this cycle, per the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings. Looking just at small forwards, Mgbako ranked ninth at the position.
NEWS: Indiana transfer forward Mackenzie Mgbako has committed to Texas A&M, he tells @On3sports.
The 6-9 sophomore is a former 5
recruit. Averaged 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season.
Impressive pickup for new Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan.… pic.twitter.com/g6CuFxPjPe
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 18, 2025
The Big Blue Nation remembers Mgbako’s name well from his high school days. A former five-star recruit and native of New Jersey, he grew up as close friends with former Wildcats DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw — two talented prospects from the same high school class who also lived in New Jersey. Those three all played AAU basketball together for the NJ Scholars on the Nike EYBL circuit.
Former head coach John Calipari recruited Mgbako to UK, and even got him on campus for an official visit in October 2021. Earlier this month, he was back in Lexington for another visit, this time under Mark Pope. But the ‘Cats ultimately elected to look elsewhere in the following weeks, leading Mgbako to Texas A&M where he’ll face Kentucky in the 2025-26 season.
Mgbako is the third portal addition this offseason for McMillan, who replaced Buzz Williams on April 5. Texas A&M has also landed commitments from Zach Clemence (Kansas) and Jacari Lane (North Alabama).
Kentucky Basketball 2025-26 Roster Tracker
COMMITS (5)
- Kam Williams – G – Tulane – 9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 48.5% FG, 41.2% 3PT | Committed 3/28
- Jaland Lowe – G – Pittsburgh – 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.2 RPG, 37.6% FG, 26.6% 3PT | Committed 4/5
- Mouhamed Dioubate – F – Alabama – 7.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 61.7% FG, 46.2% 3PT | Committed 4/7
- Jayden Quaintance – F – Arizona State – 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG, 52.5 FG% | Committed 4/8
- Andrija Jelavic — C — Mega Basket — 10.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 50.3% FG, 32.3% 3PT | – Committed 4/12
RETURNING / INCOMING (7)
- Otega Oweh – G – Rising Senior – 16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 49.2% FG, 35.5% 3PT
- Brandon Garrison – C – Rising Junior – 5.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 50.9%
- Collin Chandler – C- Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 36.1% FG, 34.7% 3PT
- Travis Perry – PG – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 31.3% FG, 32.1% 3PT
- Trent Noah – F – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.4 APG, 45.1% FG, 33.3% 3PT
- Malachi Moreno – C – Incoming Freshman – Great Crossing (Georgetown, KY)
- Jasper Johnson – SG – Incoming Freshman – Overtime Elite (Lexington, KY)
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