Duke basketball recruiting target Mackenzie Mgbako (USA TODAY Sports)
Duke basketball remains in the running for another top prep.
Late Tuesday night, Gill St. Bernard’s (N.J.) small forward Mackenzie Mgbako, who ranks No. 3 overall on the 247Sports 2023 Composite, revealed his four finalists to On3 recruiting insider Joe Tipton. The Duke basketball staff survived the cut alongside Kentucky, Memphis, and Ohio State.
Seven insiders have entered predictions between the Rivals FutureCast and 247Sports Crystal Ball. All seven see Mgbako choosing the Blue Devils.
However, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, which utilizes various data about prospects and their recruitments, paints a dead heat between his remaining suitors.
It’s worth noting that Mgbako took an official visit to Duke back in the fall.
Mackenzie Mgbako informed Joe Tipton of his intention to announce his destination shortly, possibly in the coming days. Although the 6-foot-8, 200-pound five-star spoke positively about all four head coaches still in pursuit, one could argue that his comments about new Duke head coach Jon Scheyer align well with what most insider predictions suggest:
“[Scheyer] is a likable coach. Like when you meet him and get recruited by him, you see it firsthand. He is a coach you want to be recruited by. He has that kind of feeling to him that makes you want to go to his team.”
Here’s how On3 recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw recently summed up Mgbako’s entire on-court repertoire:
“It is the shooting that separates Mgbako…he has a quick, repeatable release with great balance and confidence. He has a straight-line burst to the basket and a high IQ as a team defender. He is a high-floor prospect.”
Meanwhile, another long-time 2023 Blue Devil target, Ridge View (S.C.) five-star power forward GG Jackson, hinted last week that his decision date is now on the horizon, perhaps as close as this week. Despite the handful of finalists, many insiders suspect Duke and UNC are the only two legit contenders for Jackson’s services at this late juncture.
Jon Scheyer and his gang have already racked up three commitments from current high school juniors. That list of future Blue Devils consists of Oak Hill (Va.) five-star point guard Caleb Foster, Centennial (Calif.) five-star shooting guard Jared McCain, and Windermere (Fla.) four-star power forward Sean Stewart.
Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball recruiting news and views.
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