Indiana basketball wing Mackenzie Mgbako named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for second time this season

Indiana basketball wing Mackenzie Mgbako earned his second Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor on Monday for his play last week.

Mgbako averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in two games last week.

He had a career-high 22 points against Nebraska.

On the season, Mgbako is averaging 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. After a shaky start to the year shooting the ball, he is shooting 34.7 percent from three in conference play.

In the past 22 games, Mgbako has scored in double-figures 18 times and is averaging 13.0 points per game.

“Sometimes you gotta fail to be successful,” Indiana basketball head coach Mike Woodson said earlier this season “I like his work ethic. When he’s in practice, he gives you what he’s got … I’m happy with Mack, man, I just think he’s gonna continue to get better as the games go along.”

Below is the full release.

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Indiana freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Monday afternoon.

Mgbako averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal per game for the Hoosiers. The former McDonald’s All American was one of four major conference freshmen to post at least 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in conference play last week.

The Gladstone, N.J., native secured a career-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds and one steal against Nebraska on Feb. 21. He tallied seven points, three assists, and one steal at Penn State on Feb. 24.

The honor is the second of his debut season with the Hoosiers. He joins Cody Zeller (seven honors), Noah Vonleh (seven), Trayce Jackson-Davis (five), Jalen Hood-Schifino (four), Romeo Langford (three), Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell (two), James Blackmon Jr. (two), and Thomas Bryant (two) as Indiana players to earn multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week selections in a season since the award was first distributed during the 2010-11 season.

Mgbako and the Hoosiers return to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for a contest against Wisconsin at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

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