NBA Comparison: Emoni Bates

Strengths: Mackenzie Mgbako is a skilled, physically mature wing with a polished shooting stroke and a strong foundation as a floor-spacing combo forward … Measured 6’7.50” barefoot with a 6’10.25” wingspan at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, giving him solid size for an NBA wing … He shoots with confidence and balance off the catch and has shown comfort operating in off-screen actions … A career 81.0% free throw shooter across two seasons at Indiana, his mechanics are clean and projectable from the NBA line … Has a good understanding of spacing and floor balance, functioning well as a spot-up option and a trailer in transition … Scores in a variety of ways in halfcourt sets, including mid-range pull-ups and pick-and-pop jumpers … Displays a sound feel for the game and doesn’t force the action — often taking what the defense gives him … Showed growth in shot selection and decision-making as a sophomore … Decent rebounder for his position (4.6 RPG), thanks to his size and ability to track the ball off the glass … Played with more consistent effort during stretches of his second season, especially in big games … His two-game showing at the NBA Draft Combine — where he showcased improved confidence and aggression — was encouraging and highlighted the upside teams still see in him as a rotational shooter at the next level.

Weaknesses: Despite having ideal wing size, Mgbako lacks elite physical tools — his 33.0” max vertical was one of the lower measurements among wings at the Combine … Doesn’t possess explosive leaping ability or quick-twitch athleticism, limiting his ability to separate off the dribble or finish in traffic … Struggles in isolation and hasn’t shown the ability to create consistently against closeouts or mismatches … His offensive production in college was solid but plateaued — averaging nearly identical stats in both seasons (12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 43.7% FG, 32.9% 3PT), which raises questions about whether he’s already close to his ceiling … Doesn’t provide much as a playmaker, with a near 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and a low overall assist rate … Lacks foot speed and lateral mobility on defense — rarely a disruptive presence, as reflected in his low steals (0.3 SPG) and blocks (0.5 BPG) … Defensive instincts remain a work in progress, and he can struggle staying in front of quicker players or rotating on time in help situations … Not dynamic in transition, and his limited burst hampers his effectiveness when running the lane or finishing on the break … Frame is decent at 216 lbs but lacks true strength and still appears to be physically developing … Teams may question how well his skill set translates in a fast-paced, athletic NBA system unless his shooting becomes truly elite.

Outlook: Mgbako is a skilled forward with shooting potential and a good feel for the game, but he lacks standout athleticism or defensive impact to guarantee a firm draft position … His back-to-back seasons of near-identical production at Indiana suggest a capped ceiling, but his size and clean shooting mechanics still give him a chance to contribute at the next level … His strong performance at the NBA Combine helped his case slightly, though it may not be enough to significantly boost him beyond the mid-to-late second round … If he can increase his shooting efficiency and become a more capable defender, there’s a path to carving out a role as a floor-spacing wing off the bench … Likely a developmental prospect, but one with value for teams looking for size and shooting.

Notes: Measured 6’7.50” barefoot, 216.4 lbs, 6’10.25” wingspan, 8’7.00” standing reach, 27.5” no step vertical and 33.0” max vertical at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine … Played two seasons at Indiana … Career averages across two seasons: 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.7% FG, 32.9% 3PT, 81.0% FT … Former McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit.

Aran Smith 5/22/25

Strengths: 6’8.5 forward … Good size and length for position with a 6’10 wingspan and 8’10 standing reach … Good strength and impressive physical profile. One of the more college ready players from a physical standpoint … Highly active and moves well off the ball … Good athlete and very well-coordinated. Throws down dunks with either hand in the half-court. Doesn’t hesitate to use either hand at the rim, while contorting his body in the congested paint … Can be a matchup problem taking smaller wings into the post and there aren’t many who can match his strength at this level. Flashes solid post-play: reverse pivots, fadeaways, and jump hooks … Effective slasher and initiates/finishes through contact … Good arc on shot with range extending to the 3PT line. Can shoot off the dribble and step-backs on occasions … Good rebounder for position. Averaged 7.4 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good tools and versatility as a defender, showing ability to switch, defending up and down the lineup. Blocks shots well for position. Averaged 1 block per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 0.9 blocks per game in 2022 … Despite tunnel vision at times, he’s capable of making impressive passes off the dribble. Also capable of impressive cross-court passes out of the post … Good aggression, stays engaged, and consistently plays hard. Highly confident and doesn’t second guess himself …

Weaknesses: Above average athlete but isn’t incredibly explosive … He can get wild with his shot selection and has tunnel vision at times, bailing out the defense. Has a habit of picking up his dribble early, holding it for a few seconds, then go up with a contested shot, sometimes from distance. While it worked at times at the high school level, he has a tendency to put his head down and force his way to the rim. Has room to improve offensive technique overall as players will match his physicality at the next levels. Can improve touch when finishing at the rim. Very high-volume shooter at a not so efficient rate. Averaged 16 points (13.4 FGA) per game on 42.9% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 16.2 points (15.3 FGA) per game on 42.7% FG% in 2022 … While he does have range out the 3PT line, and his jump shot looks good as he keeps it straight (misses fall short or too long) but he lacks consistency overall. Shot 25.9% 3PT% on 6.8 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Can improve as a free throw shooter. Shot 68.4% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 63.8% FT% in 2022 … Can tighten up as a ball-handler and tends to get loose with the ball even without defensive pressure. Averaged 1 assist to 1.7 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 1.7 assists to 1.8 turnovers per game in 2022 … Despite having a high reputation defensively, he isn’t the quickest laterally, which will be imperative defending wings at the next levels. Picks up unnecessary fouls and found himself in foul trouble throughout the EYBL season. Can work on staying in position and disciplined defensively as he bites and gambles a bit often …

Outlook: Indiana freshman … Transferred to Roselle Catholic for his senior year … 2023 McDonald’s All-American … Played in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit. Scored 22 points (6-14 FG, 2-5 3PT, 8-10 FT) and grabbed 8 rebounds in 2023 … 2023 Naismith High School Boys All-American 3^rd Team …

Notes: Mackenzie Mgbako measured 6′ 7.50” barefoot, 216.4 lbs, 6′ 10.25” wingspan, 8′ 7.00” standing reach with a 27.5 no step vertical and 33.0 maximum vertical at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.

Evan Tomes 9/5/23

Strengths: 6’8.75 forward … Good size and length for position with a 6’10 wingspan and 8’9.25 standing reach … Good strength and impressive physical profile. One of the more college ready players from a physical standpoint … Highly active and moves well off the ball … Good athlete and very well-coordinated. Throws down dunks with either hand in the half-court. Doesn’t hesitate to use either hand at the rim, while contorting his body in the congested paint … Can be a matchup problem taking smaller wings into the post and there aren’t many who can match his strength at this level. Flashes solid post-play: reverse pivots, fadeaways, and jump hooks … Effective slasher and initiates/finishes through contact … Good rebounder for position. Averaged 7.4 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good tools and versatility as a defender, showing ability to switch, defending up and down the lineup. Blocks shots well for position. Averaged 1 block per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 0.9 blocks per game in 2022 … Despite tunnel vision at times, he’s capable of making impressive passes off the dribble. Also capable of impressive cross-court passes out of the post … Good aggression, stays engaged, and consistently plays hard. Highly confident and doesn’t second guess himself …

Weaknesses: Above average athlete but isn’t incredibly explosive … He can get wild with his shot selection and has tunnel vision at times, bailing out the defense. Has a habit of picking up his dribble early, holding it for a few seconds, then go up with a contested shot, sometimes from distance. While it works at times at this level, he has a tendency to put his head down and force his way to the rim. Has room to improve offensive technique overall as players will match his physicality at the next levels. Very high-volume shooter at a not so efficient rate. Averaged 16 points (13.4 FGA) per game on 42.9% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 16.2 points (15.3 FGA) per game on 42.7% FG% in 2022 … While he does have range out the 3PT line, and his jump shot looks good as he keeps it straight (misses fall short or too long) but he lacks consistency overall. Shot 25.9% 3PT% on 6.8 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Can improve as a free throw shooter. Shot 68.4% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 63.8% FT% in 2022 … Can tighten up as a ball-handler and tends to get loose with the ball even without defensive pressure. Averaged 1 assist to 1.7 turnovers per game over the Nike EYBL in 2021 and 1.7 assists to 1.8 turnovers per game in 2022 … Isn’t the quickest laterally, which will be imperative defending wings at the next levels. Picks up unnecessary fouls and found himself in foul trouble throughout the EYBL season. Can work on staying in position defensively as he bites and gambles a bit often …

Outlook: Duke commit … Transferring to Roselle Catholic for his senior year … Played in the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit …

Evan Tomes 10/5/22