Mackenzie Mgbako named one of the nation’s top freshmen by longtime college

Longtime college basketball analyst Dick Vitale views Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako as one of the nation’s top freshmen entering the 2023-24 season.

On Friday afternoon, Vitale released his list of “preseason diaper dandies” for the upcoming season and included Mgbako.

Michigan State freshman Xavier Booker was also on the list along with Elliott Cadeau (North Carolina), Stephon Castle (UConn), Isaiah Collier (USC), Justin Edwards (Kentucky), Kwame Evans (Oregon), Bronny James (USC), Jared McCain (Duke), D.J. Wagner (Kentucky), Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor) and Cody Williams (Colorado).

Vitale also recently released his preseason top 25 teams for the 2023-24 season and included just two Big Ten teams.

Purdue was the highest-ranked Big Ten team in Vitale’s ranking at No. 3 and Michigan State was right behind the Boilermakers at No. 4.

Indiana’s opponent in the 2023 Empire Classic, UConn, is ranked No. 5. And Kansas, which comes to Assembly Hall on Dec. 16, is ranked No. 1 by Vitale. A potential opponent in the Empire Classic, Texas, is No. 23.

Vitale also released his preseason All-American teams and included four Big Ten players.

Purdue’s Zach Edey and Northwestern’s Boo Buie were first-team selections by Vitale. Terrence Shannon Jr. of Illinois was on the second team and Michigan State’s Tyson Walker was a third-team pick.

Joining Edey and Buie on the first team: Armando Bacot (UNC), Johni Broome (Auburn) and Tyler Kolek (Marquette).

Filed to: Mackenzie Mgbako