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Texas A&M basketball fans can breathe sigh of relief after star transfer's decision

This was always a likely outcome, but with how well one of Texas A&M's transfer commits had been playing in the combine, some Aggies were worried.
ByGraham Harmon|
Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Mackenzie Mgbako (21) shoots the ball while Oregon Ducks guard TJ Bamba (5) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Mackenzie Mgbako (21) shoots the ball while Oregon Ducks guard TJ Bamba (5) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

One of the biggest commitments that Bucky McMillan got early on in the transfer ranks for Texas A&M basketball was that of former Indiana big man Mackenzie Mgbako. A dynamic offensive threat who is also really solid on the defensive end, Mgbako gives the Aggies what they need out of a frontcourt player in Bucky McMillan's system.

However, there was a sneaking worry that some fans had that Mgbako may not actually make it to campus. It has become the style recently for players to both enter the transfer portal and declare for the NBA draft at the same time; if they fell in a draft range they found agreeable, they would remain in the pro ranks even if they had committed to a school.

This was the path that Mgbako was taking, and though it always seemed likely that he would stay in the collegiate ranks, he was showing out to such a degree in the pre-draft process that A&M fans' excitement was turning, in some quarters, to discomfort. Those questions have now been quelled, however, as Mgbako has made his decision official.

Star Texas A&M basketball transfer Mackenzie Mgbako officially returning to school

This morning, news broke that Mgbako is officially returning to school, meaning he will be part of Bucky McMillan's first-ever Aggie team:

This doubles up the good news for Texas A&M basketball fans this morning, as the Aggies also added a key offensive piece in Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs. These are two guys, now guaranteed to be part of the team this season, who could be leading scorers for the Ags given their talents.

Though this was always the expectation for Mgbako, it says something that he was performing so well that the opposite was even a possibility. The stakes just kept rising as he continued to show out, meaning that the Aggies' eventual retention of his talent means all that much more. McMillan's first-ever team in Aggieland is looking more and more likely to be worthy of a preseason top 25 ranking.

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