Despite a minor setback in the Rylan Griffen ruling, Texas A&M's basketball program is ready to get back in Reed Arena and tip off the second season under head coach Bucky McMillan.
In the first year of Bucky Ball, the Aggies advanced to the Round of 32, losing to No. 2 seed Houston. During the offseason, McMillan attacked the transfer portal, reeling in the nation's No. 15 class. The list included a multitude of talented shooters, including Kansas State guard PJ Haggerty, who ranked top-three in scoring last season.
It also featured Tennessee power forward Cade Phillips. The 6-foot-9, 200-pounder will play an integral role for the Aggies inside the paint, following Rashaun Agee's departure.
In addition to Texas A&M's portal haul, McMillan also
retained veterans like Mackenzie Mgbako. The former McDonald's All-American appeared just a couple of times for the Aggies in 2025-26, before suffering a season-ending injury, but Mgbako is back to full health and raring to make a splash for Bucky Ball.
Here are quotes from McMillan, Phillips and Mgbako, as Texas A&M basketball continues its preparations for the 2026-27 season:
McMillan on the Rylan Griffen ruling
"Was I surprised on the ruling that, when we're looking across college basketball and players in this state and in these counties across the state are ruled that they can play in the same situation as Rylan that we'll be playing against this year, and all across the country. That am I shocked? I mean, I think everybody in that courtroom that was in there to have kind of a ruling that's somewhat unprecedented in how it was ruled was shocked," McMillan said.
McMillan's thoughts on what will happen with Griffen in his battle for eligibility
"We do think it'll get resolved, obviously in the favor of Rylan because, well, that's what's going on in college basketball, and we're certainly going to be playing against guys in the same position Rylan's in, so we expect it to get resolved for Rylan the same way," McMillan said.
McMillan on the importance of having students pack Reed Arena
“I love the people here. We’re going to have a heck of an atmosphere here. I don’t care if you love basketball, don’t like basketball, it doesn’t matter. We’re going to make Reed the place where the party is," McMillan said. "That’s where everybody hangs out and we like making it miserable for other toward to come here. We’ve got to heat teams up when they come here. Aggies fight together.”
Mgbako's thoughts on being back fully healthy
"Super excited, man. Super excited. You know how it goes, man. That first game, energy is up, amped up. (Got to) keep that through the tenure of the season. I'm really blessed to be back in this position," Mgbako said.
Mgbako gives his evaluation of Texas A&M's talent
"I mean, we're really talented team. We work hard. You know, we try to play together. We try to play fast. We like to shoot the ball, so I feel like anything else, we're just a high-energy level team. We play together. We got a lot of veterans, a lot of older players who understand the game. Just leading with that kind of mentality is probably what's gonna separate us," Mgbako said.
Mgbako's thoughts on how far this team can make it
“I feel like as long as we play the way we’re supposed to play and play with a lot of energy, we’ll make it far," Mgbako said.
Phillips on the ceiling of this year's team
"I think the potential is as high as we want to go," Phillips said.
Phillips on being able to compete for Aggieland in Reed Arena in 2026-27
"It's an incredible environment and being able to experience it from the other side to now be here and get to experience it is really awesome. This place is rocking. And so I think to now be on this side is an incredible thing to be a part of," Phillips said.
Phillips' thoughts on Griffen's ruling
"You know I'm not going to just speak for myself, I'll speak for all Aggies out there: Everybody wants Rylan out on that court. You know, and I'm gonna continue to be there for him as a brother and as a teammate," Phillips said.
Phillips on the identity of the Aggies entering the season
"I think hardworking. I think that's a calling card of what this team is. You know, we are just as talented as really anybody else in the country. But so is the SEC. You know, that's what this league is about," Phillips said.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'We're really talented': Texas A&M basketball HC, players prep for tipoff
