This morning Head of Basketball Operations at Rivals.com, Rob Cassidy released an article ranking the four legitimate contenders to land recently available and highly-coveted five-star Mackenzie Mgbako.
The 6-foot-8, 185-pound forward recently requested a release from his NLI with Duke University, which caused a media storm to ensue following the breaking news. Very quickly was Mgbako tied to the University of Louisville because of his previous relationship with Assistant Coach Nolan Smith.
It was all speculation surrounding Mgbako to Louisville until this morning when Rob Cassidy confirmed that the two parties had been in contact. And as far as the ranking for Louisville to land the former Duke commit, well the Cardinals currently sit at No. 1.
However, as Cassidy stated in his article, Mgbako to Louisville is not a “lock,” per se. But, the possibility for him to suit up next year in a Cardinals jersey is very real. Here is what Cassidy said in his article:
"“There’s been contact between the Cardinals and Mgbako’s camp, so the momentum Kenny Payne is building this offseason shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to the chase to land the five-star prospect. Neither should the fact that it’s common knowledge that Louisville is armed with a cannon full of NIL money. Top-flight 2023 signees Dennis Evans and Trentyn Flowers in addition to key transfer Skyy Clark, whom the Cardinals welcomed in from Illinois, should be plenty to convince Mgbako he has a chance to win as part of a revamped roster.The thought of Mgbako and Evans playing frontcourt minutes together should be tantalizing for a fan base desperate for something to cling to in the wake of a 4-28 season that was lightyears worse than anyone could have imagined.It’s too early to view this as a lock, but the Cardinals seem to have an inside track of sorts when it comes to landing the former Blue Devil signee, due in part to a deep relationship with Mgbako’s NJ Scholars grassroots program.”"
The ties between Louisville and Mackenzie Mgbako were clear through Nolan Smith, but Cassidy brings out more ties between the two that may have been less clear. Mgbako was the AAU teammate of Kentucky commits DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw, who all played together in New Jersey for the New Jersey Scholars team.
Dj Wagner’s grandfather Milt Wagner was hired by Kenny Payne last year to be the University of Louisville’s Director of Player Development and Alumni Relations. Milt’s son Dajuan Wagner is the Player Development and Program Director for the New Jersey Scholars Program. And Pervis Ellison, former Louisville basketball star, is the Program Director at NJ Scholars.
So, the ties to the University of Louisville run deep in regards to tying Mackenzie Mgbako to the Cardinals, so on the surface, it seems like this is Kenny Payne’s battle to lose at this point, especially since we have it confirmed that the two parties have been in contact.
Plus, as Rob Cassidy said, the recruiting class that Kenny Payne has assembled thus far should speak volumes to the kind of success that this program can have, and even more so with the addition of Mackenzie Mgbako.