Several of IU’s newcomers for 2023-24 season have arrived on campus

  • 06/07/2023 8:16 am in

Several of Indiana’s newcomers for the 2023-24 men’s basketball roster are now on campus in Bloomington.

A photo posted to Twitter late Tuesday showed Mackenzie Mgbako, James Goodis, Kel’el Ware, Gabe Cupps, Jakai Newton, Ian Stephens and Payton Sparks all together on IU’s campus.

Miami transfer Anthony Walker is expected to arrive later this summer.

Here are quick bios via IU on each of the new scholarship newcomers:

Mgbako

“A consensus five-star recruit, he is ranked as the eighth best player in the Class of 2023 by Rivals.com, ninth by ESPN, and 10th by 247Sports. Mgbako, who is considered one of the top offensive players in the country, also played in this year’s Nike Hoop Summit, and had 22 points and eight rebounds for the World team.  He averaged 16.3 points and 9.2 rebounds in his only season at Roselle Catholic for Coach Dave Boff, helping them to a NJSIAA Non-Public B state title.”

Walker

“He competed in 125 games in his four seasons at Miami averaging 15.1 minutes, 4.9 points, and 2.5 rebounds per game.  He shot 51.0% (210-of-412) from inside the arc and had 22 games scoring in double digits.  His best season was his sophomore year when he started 16 times and averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds.”

Ware

“He comes to IU from Oregon where he played 35 games and started four as a freshman for the Ducks. He averaged 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.8 minutes of action per game and led the team in blocked shots with 45. His best game of the year was an 18-point, nine-board effort against eventual national champion, UConn.  He also had nine rebounds against Michigan State.”

Sparks

“He comes to IU from Ball State where he was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference performer and was the 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year. He started all 62 games in his career with the Cardinals and averaged 13.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, while shooting 56.0% from the floor. His 421 free throw attempts over the last two seasons were the most in the MAC and seventh highest in college basketball.”

Cupps

“Named 2022 Ohio Mr. Basketball … won the 2021 high school state title for his father and head coach Brook Cupps at Centerville High School … finished runner-up in the 2022 state tournament … averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game as a junior … shot 50.3% from the floor, 44.3% from the 3-point line, and 85.2% from the free throw line as a junior … plays AAU ball for Midwest Basketball Club based out of Cincinnati on the 3-Stripes Select Basketball Circuit … son of Brook and Betsy Cupps.”

Newton

“Helped guide Charlemagne Gibbons and Newton High School to the 2022 AAAAAAA state semifinals … averaged 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game as a junior … consensus top-100 recruit … plays AAU ball for Atlanta Xpress for program director and coach Winfred Jordan … son of Bettina and Brandon Newton.”

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