New Texas A&M basketball coach Bucky McMillan has landed one of the better players in the transfer portal. Mackenzie Mgbako, who was a five-star recruit for Indiana’s recruiting Class of 2023, is joining the Aggies.
Mgbako’s transfer was announced on Thursday on X, formerly Twitter. In the post, the Aggies noted some of Mgbako’s achievements — including that he’s the “Highest-ranked recruit in Texas A&M history.”
Welcome to Aggieland, Mackenzie Mgbako 🏡
➡️ Highest-ranked recruit in Texas A&M history
➡️ McDonald’s All-American
➡️ 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
➡️ Big 10 Freshman of the Year#GigEm pic.twitter.com/MET5Kwnfp4— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) April 18, 2025
Mgbako also announced his commitment on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Time will ultimately tell how well Mgbako will play with the Aggies. But the early feelings on this signing are that it is a great move for McMillan.
Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako is transferring to Texas A&M 👍
He averaged 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG and shot 43.7% FG and 81% FT.
Massive win for Bucky and Co. beating out Will Wade and Chris Beard for the 2024 Big Ten Rookie of the Year.
He has two years of eligibility left. pic.twitter.com/fM6WA8B4Bc
— Luke Evangelist (@lukeevangelist_) April 18, 2025
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
Lots of smoke on the potential Mackenzie Mgbako transfer.
Big forward. B1G FOY. McDonald’s All American.
That’s a difference maker in Bucky’s system. Can’t win in the SEC w/out an All-SEC guy. With a great year, he proves Bucky’s system works for the elite.
Wait and see!
— John Pugliese (@JohnPugliese) April 17, 2025
BREAKING: Mackenzie Mgbako has transferred to Texas A&M, beating out NCST, Kentucky and Ole Miss!
Mgbako is a former 5 🌟 and Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year and averaged 12.2 PPG and 4.6 RPG this season!
MASSIVE pickup for Bucky McMillan and the Aggies pic.twitter.com/4B1nWqtVPU
— Kannon Torres (@TorresKannon) April 18, 2025
Mgbako, a 6-foot-9, 222-pound forward, played in all of Indiana’s 65 games over the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, starting 64 of them.
En route to winning the Big 10 Freshman of the year in 2023-24, he averaged 12.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a freshman, while shooting 39.5% from the field, 32.7% on threes and 82.1% on free throws. Mgbako’s sophomore season was similar, as he once again averaged 12.2 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds while shooting 43.7% from the field, 32.9% on threes and 81% on free throws.
