Texas A&M is facing a tough blow heading into the heart of the college basketball season. Junior forward Mackenzie Mgbako is officially out for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign due to a foot injury. The news broke Monday, just before the Aggies tipped off against Prairie View A&M at Reed Arena, and it’s a significant loss for a team that’s already been battling through a bumpy non-conference stretch.
Mgbako, a former five-star recruit and one of the most talented players on the Aggies’ roster, had already missed the start of the season after undergoing offseason surgery for a Jones fracture in his right foot. He sat out the first five games but returned to action for the last seven, making a noticeable impact.
During that span, Texas A&M went 6-1, and Mgbako contributed with 10.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. His shooting splits-39% from the field, 34.3% from three, and an impressive 88.2% from the free-throw line-showed the kind of offensive versatility that made him such a highly touted prospect coming out of high school.
This isn’t just about numbers, though. Mgbako brought a steady presence to the frontcourt, and his ability to stretch the floor opened up the offense in ways that were just beginning to take shape. He was starting to look like the go-to guy for the Aggies, and his absence leaves a noticeable void-not just in production, but in leadership and matchup flexibility.
Before transferring to Texas A&M, Mgbako spent two seasons at Indiana, where he averaged 12.2 points and 4.3 rebounds across 65 games. He tested the NBA Draft waters this past offseason, leading the NBA G League Elite Camp in scoring and earning a spot at the NBA Draft Combine.
Ultimately, he chose to return to college for another year, betting on himself and hoping to elevate his stock. That decision brought him to College Station-and now, unfortunately, to the sidelines.
The Aggies have been navigating injuries and absences all season. They’ve only had a fully healthy roster for four of their first 12 games.
Guard Rylan Griffen, who’s averaging 11.2 points per game-fourth-best on the team-missed two games with the flu. Pop Isaacs, another key contributor averaging 8.8 points, also missed a game for undisclosed reasons.
With SEC play looming, Texas A&M will need to regroup quickly. Losing a player of Mgbako’s caliber is never easy, but the Aggies have shown flashes of resilience. The challenge now is finding the right mix to keep momentum going without one of their most dynamic talents on the floor.