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Why It's Time for Texas A&M's Mackenzie Mgbako to Break Out
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- Why It's Time for Texas A&M's Mackenzie Mgbako to Break Out
(Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images)
Three games in the Bahamas obviously aren't enough to declare Mackenzie Mgbako's long-awaited breakout season has arrived.
But ... leading Texas A&M in scoring in all three? That's certainly a good place to start.
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Mgbako was one of the Aggies' most consistent offensive weapons during their undefeated trip to the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League, including a 23-point, nine-rebound performance against Toros del Valle and 17 points in just 14 minutes against Carleton.
It's only August exhibition basketball, so let's not get carried away. But for an Aggies team that barely got to see Mgbako last season, his performance in the Bahamas is certainly encouraging.
Expectations have followed the 6-9 forward since well before he arrived in College Station.
READ MORE: Bucky McMillan's Texas A&M Identity Emerges in Bahamas Debut
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Mgbako was a McDonald's All-American and consensus five-star prospect coming out of high school, with ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports each ranking him among the top 10 players in the 2023 class.
And his two seasons at Indiana weren't necessarily disappointing.
Mgbako earned Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 12.2 points per game, then averaged exactly 12.2 points again as a sophomore.
That's where the frustration comes in.
Mgbako was productive in Bloomington. He just never made the significant jump that his freshman campaign — and recruiting pedigree — suggested could be coming.
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His sophomore season ended up being his last with the Hoosiers.
Mgbako transferred to Texas A&M last offseason, becoming the highest-ranked high school recruit to ever sign with the Aggies.
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But his first year in College Station never really got started.
A Jones fracture in his right foot sidelined Mgbako for Texas A&M's first five games, and after returning to appear in seven contests, he reinjured the same foot and underwent another surgery.
That was it.
Mgbako finished the season averaging 10.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in just 18.7 minutes per game.
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Which brings us back to the Bahamas.
Nobody should be putting Mgbako on an All-SEC team because he scored 23 points against Toros del Valle in August. That's not the point here.
MORE: Texas A&M's Bucky McMillan Sends Strong Message With Perfect Bahamas Run
Texas A&M already knew what Mgbako was capable of doing when it brought him to College Station. The Aggies just didn't get much of an opportunity to see it.
Now healthy and entering his fourth collegiate season, Mgbako has another chance. And after three games in the Bahamas, there are at least some early signs that this one could look quite different from the last.
