Texas A&M's first basketball practice before the 2026-2027 season took place this week, as second-year coach Bucky McMillan spoke to the media for the first time this fall and provided several key roster updates, including the potential return of veteran guard Rylan Griffin.
This offseason, McMillan and his staff added seven key transfer portal additions, including the return of forwards Zach Clemence and Jamie Vinson and, most importantly, former five-star and McDonald's All-American forward Mackenzie Mgbako. After missing all but seven games in non-conference play after transferring from Indiana, Mgbako is fully healthy and has added more muscle to his frame.
Lacking size in the frontcourt last season, 6'7" Rashaun Agee served as the most reliable
big man on the roster, which was a point of emphasis this offseason. Adding blue-chip freshman forward Josh Irving, who's 6'11", combined with Jamie Vinson and transfer Jalen Shelley, who is 6'9", McMillan will be able to deploy more size.
Mackenzie Mgbako's importance can't be understated, and Bucky McMillan agrees, heaping praise on his veteran starter, who, if he stays healthy, is expected to be the No. 2 scoring option behind PJ Haggerty, who averaged nearly 24 points per game with Kansas State last season.
“He’s been awesome. He’s improved a lot. He deserves to have a good season. He’s stronger. He’s the hardest worker and it’s paying off. His weaknesses are getting smaller. Knock on wood, he stays healthy, he’s going to have a really good season.”
Yes, knock on wood, that Mgbako avoids the injury bug. Knowing what the Aggies could have accomplished last season with him in the lineup, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, who visited Texas A&M this week, stated on X that Mgbako looks like an "All-SEC player" who has "completely changed his body" before Texas A&M's opener on Nov. 2.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'He's improved a lot': Bucky McMillan praises Texas A&M senior forward
