Even though Indiana found their new head coach fairly quickly after getting snubbed from the NCAA Tournament, that doesn't mean they are safe from the transfer portal. The college basketball transfer portal opened up on Monday, March 22, and the Hoosiers already knew they were losing leading-scorer Malik Reneau and Gabe Cupps, however, they are losing yet another starter no one saw coming.
After spending two seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers, sophomore forward Mackenzie Mgbako has announced he is entering the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Indiana SF Mackenzie Mgbako has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, @JamieShaw5 reports
— On3 (@On3sports) March 24, 2025
Mgbako was a 5-star recruit in the 2023 class. https://t.co/mR49Q7TA8S pic.twitter.com/NrNDsluEdd
Mackenzie Mgbako announcement his entrance to the transfer portal
Mgbako was the final starter left at Indiana with Trey Galloway and Oumar Ballo out of eligibility, Reneau heading into the transfer portal, and Luke Goode trying to get a hardship waiver for a fifth year of eligibility, but as of right now can't come back until he is granted that. Indiana is also losing the sixth man and occasional starter, Anthony Leal, due to eligibility as well
Mgbako was. He was a solid player for the Hoosiers in his two seasons with Indiana, this season, he averaged 12.2 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. Even as a sophomore, Mgbako was key to a couple of the Hoosier's big wins this season, especially late when they were making a push to get into the NCAA Tournament.
It would seem that Mgbako did not want to play for new head Darina DeVries, as this decision came well after DeVries was hired to lead the Hoosiers. With at least two years of eligibility left, Mgbako will most likely be a top transfer portal target as a former 5-star recruit out of high school.
DeVries still has some Indiana veterans in the program, including Myles Rice, who was another key player for Indiana at times this season. However, it seems DeVries will have to hit the portal hard in order to build his squad, with only one high school recruit committed and signed to come to Indiana and another recruit committed but keeping his options open.