Mackenzie Mgbako Scouting Report
Shot-makers with size and defensive versatility are one of the hottest commodities for NBA teams. Indiana freshman Mackenzie Mgbako fits the profile, but what else does he offer? Find out more below!
Draft profile and offensive package
A reliable jumper is a must-have for almost every NBA player, and with over a historic high 34 three-point attempts per game in the last four seasons, the signs are there it will continue to matter more and more. Therefore, it’s a given that NBA teams will continue to invest in their shooting depth, end depending on the intangibles offered outside of the shooting, the price goes up to the lottery.
Mackenzie Mgbako is an interesting prospect when it comes to the above-mentioned because the jumper is his unique selling point. He has a beautiful high release and has shown consistency with his form in a high volume during his career so far. However, the mentioned “intangibles” is the keyword in this scouting report.
The first major sign of contributing immediately at the next level is his shooting gravity. Mgbako has various ways of getting to his shots. Whether it’s by actively cutting, him coming off of screens, or creating separation via step-backs, he’s a willing and comfortable shooter in movement.
In this play Mgbako relocates to the strong side via the backdoor cut at the moment the ball-handler utilizes the screen. After receiving the pass, Mgbako goes for a pull-up via the one-dribble stepback to the elbow, instead of the contested three in the corner. What stood out in this play is that he didn’t hesitate and looked very comfortable and confident; an important aspect in his profile.
While projecting his potential NBA role, one of the more important aspects for Mgbako is getting to his spots via screens. At 6’9” and with his strong frame, there is a chance he’ll be used as both a bigger wing playing the three, and as a floor-stretching four in a smaller line-up. Playing four of even five out is something we see more and more in recent years, and Mgbako fits the bill in getting to his spots as the screener, which is crucial.
In this play, Mgbako places the wide pindown and suddenly pops to the corner, forcing his defender to switch to the ball-handler. As a result, Mgbako was left wide open for the three-point make. What caught my attention is him showcasing his leadership by calling the play for the ball-handler, followed by a quick execution on their end.
Especially in play-off settings, coaches are challenged to counter many counter opponents have to their playbook. Although this play is a fairly common one, overall I have seen Mgbako having a good feel for the game as a screener. At the high school and EYBL level, there’s a limited sample size, however, I expect we’ll see his screening qualities more at Indiana this upcoming seasons.
Another area of importance to judge the scalability of his game is scoring via isolation. Not something he’ll be asked to do often at the NBA level early on, but it gives more comfort to project a bigger role in the long run.
I like his confidence to demand the ball for the last play of the quarter. The handles are decent but still need work at the next level. However, the sudden pull-up, as shown in the clip above, is quicker than I initially thought before doing my deep dive. Indiana ranked 12th in isolation scoring as per ShotQuality data, that’s an area where the Hoosiers will use Mgbako’s qualities on that end. So in terms of grading the scalability of his game, his choice of Indiana has helped him out in terms of an opportunity to showcase the total scoring package.
When it comes to the qualities that’ll draw NBA attention, his rebounding is another one. The importance of rebounding comes with NBA teams trying to ensure that playing a rookie would not cost them too much offensive rating in the early stages. And with Mackenzie Mgbako, you’re getting a very good rebounder.
His instincts on that end are solid for age. However, I am more impressed with the toughness and edge he plays with in box-out situations. When it comes to projecting his role, his rebounding would even make it possible to play him as a smaller five in line-ups where teams are trying to play five out. His strong frame will keep opposing big men honest, and with his rebounding, he’ll be a positive factor in that category.
When it comes to the areas of development, it’s a common one with most American prospects. Instead of bringing to ball down to collect power for the finish, I would like to see him keep the ball high after collecting a rebound that’ll likely end up in a putback finish. This is one of the most common things forwards and bigs learn in Europe, which is being focused on less in the US developmental system.
Potential NBA role on offense
The rebounding aspect makes me lean toward Mgbako playing as a stretch four instead of a bigger wing that roams between the three and the four, purely looking at the variety of his scoring package, I see his screening as a very good weapon, which he’ll be able to show at Indiana, resulting in him generating looks via pick-and-pops and screening actions involving a pindown or ghost screen.
In evaluating NBA prospects, the high school film matters a lot. When it comes to the offensive swing skill for Mgbako, it’s his inside scoring. In this clip, he is showing impressive footwork, but more importantly, he’s looking to pass first after receiving the entry pass. Mgbako shows some soft touch at the rim here, but during my film study, I have seen him struggle often. In this stage of his career, it’s not an issue, because that’s not the role that he’ll be asked to fulfill. But in the long-term, improving his touch at Indiana is going to be a crucial factor to solidify himself as a potential lottery pick.
Defensive profile
At 6’9”, Mgbako has a strong frame which gives him a clear path to guard NBA threes and fours. With limited foot speed and decent lateral quickness, I project him to struggle early on against quicker wings. However, his athleticism makes up for a part of it.
In the play above, he’s showcasing the ability to closeout hard. With Indiana being a top-50 team, Mgbako is going to continue their tradition with plays like these. Decent burst before closing out, but his ability to jump out of the gym for the big block makes me lean toward him continuing to guard most fours and fives, and being trusted to occasionally go and guard up to three.
In this role, Mgbako can diversify himself from his peers that share the same position by improving as a pick-and-roll defender. Taking Coach Woodson’s traditional approach to the game into consideration, that’s another area where his decision to be a Hoosier can work to his advantage. The fundamentals are already in place, as shown in the play below.
Mgbako goes over the screen, and although the two defenders on the left miss their rotations, he does well to attack the ball-handler to prevent the dime to the roller. He gambled a bit on this play, but you could see him staying connected to the roller, in what was intended to be a hedge.
The footwork needs some work, as he made his intentions very clear in the play above, and most Big 10 point guards will read his stance with ease. Another area of development for Mgbako is his focus. More often than not, I caught him ball-watching, or that he was losing sight of the ball, with the clip below being a good example. At the D1-level, the focus level has to go up, especially if he wants to be on the court in late-game situations.
An intriguing part of his profile is his positive body language. He’s constantly talking on the court, and despite his young age, he isn’t afraid in taking leadership when his team needed him to. This came particularly into play in defending the pick-and-roll. In general, Mgbako recognizes rotations fairly well, but he’s not consistent yet in his execution.
What’s another plus in his profile is that Mgbako finds a way to keep up with the ball-handlers, despite his slower foot speed. In the play below, he does well in forcing the ball-handler to the tough finish under the basket, where his long wingspan worked to his advantage to come up with the block.
NBA Draft Projection
Mgbako is being named as a candidate to be selected in the lottery. As of now, that seems too rich. However, I am confident in him being a first-round caliber player, that can get into lottery considerations eventually if he improves in the above-mentioned areas, being:
Utilizing his screening more to get to his field goal attempts;
Better focus on the defensive end;
Improve his touch at the rim;
Improve his defensive footwork, especially in guarding the P&R.
With the opportunity to play good minutes at the three and four positions being very likely in Indiana, the recipe for success is there.