Louisville basketball: Transfer portal update. Who’s trending to the Cardinals? Vol. 5
By Jake Hook
Mackenzie Mgbako – Forward – 6’8 – Class of 2023
If I could insert a gif that would explain perfectly how I feel when it comes to the Mackenzie Mgbako situation, it would be one of confusion.
Ten days ago, it was announced the top ten forward in the Class of 2023 would be de-committing from Duke and requesting a release from his National Letter of Intent.
Immediately, Louisville fans and recruiting experts had Louisville as the favorite to land the extremely talented forward.
Mackenzie Mgbako, a top-10 recruit in this year's class and Duke's highest-rated signee, has requested to be released from his NLI. With Kyle Filipowski returning, something of a roster crunch at the 4 spot.
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) April 11, 2023
As for Mgbako? I'd keep an eye on Louisville or the pro routes.
It all makes sense for Louisville to be his next destination. We’ve got plenty of NIL money, Mgbako and his family have a great relationship with Nolan Smith, and we’ve got his AAU Teammate, TJ Robinson coming in next year.
But a few days after the announcement, the “Mgbako to Louisville trail went dry.” There’s been no word of an official campus visit or even a meeting between Mgbako and Kenny Payne.
But Mgbako has met with a former head coach for Louisville.
An important couple of days for Coach Rick Pitino & his St. John’s staff. Today, he hosts one of the top targets in the transfer portal in All-Ivy Chris Ledlum @chris_ledlum of Harvard. Tomorrow, Coach Pitino will visit with ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mackenzie Mgbako @MackenzieMgbako 👀#SJUBB pic.twitter.com/1uoSTeuU1Z
— 𝒜𝓃𝒹𝓇ℯ𝓌 𝒮𝓁𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓇 (@Andrew__Slater) April 16, 2023
Rick Pitino, I love you, and I stand by the fact you are one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time, but please don’t do this. Don’t make me turn my back on you.
I, along with the rest of the fanbase, am pretty lost on this recruitment. Would I be shocked if we landed Mgbako? Absolutely not. But I also wouldn’t be too surprised to see him land anywhere else.
With all the connections we have to Mgbako, I still think we have a great opportunity to land him. Hopefully, we can get a visit or some positive news next week.