NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that should target former Duke commit Mackenzie Mgbako
![Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; McDonald's All American East forward Mackenzie Mgbako (24) stands on the court during the first half against the McDonald's All American West at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; McDonald's All American East forward Mackenzie Mgbako (24) stands on the court during the first half against the McDonald's All American West at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/05f0a173737d8f6807f0d85b57539f54e315a2c85de2dd7343df7ec6d721b5ce.jpg)
Memphis Tigers
The Tigers were in the mix for the five-star prospect last time around and despite already adding four newcomers this offseason, still have room for a Mgbako next season. One of the four transfer pickups was Nick Jourdain, who averaged 6.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg at Temple. But he’s largely a depth piece and not a confirmed starter on the roster.
Mgbako would be an upgrade there and give them plenty of offense. And he’d join fellow five-star prospect Mikey Williams to Memphis the clear favorite in the new-look AAC. It’s a conference that the forward could excel at and put up the kind of stats to make him a clear first-round NBA Draft pick.
North Carolina Tar Heels
After the major disappointing season, the Tar Heels has revamped its roster, while still keeping its two best players in Armando Bacot and RJ Davis. The power forward position is still open, even after landing Louisville combo forward transfer, Jae’lyn Withers. What Bacot needs is spacing, the kind that Brady Manek provided en route to UNC making that stunning national title game run.
While the storyline of Duke vs UNC would certainly be an added factor, the Tar Heels truly do need a power forward and that’s been a fairly weak position in the portal. Pete Nance was considered a top option a year ago and that didn’t work out. They already have the veterans on the roster so they can afford to take a risk on someone like Mgbako for a year.