There’s been some fun offseason looks at IU basketball players on Twitter this week. Or is it now called X? We’re not really sure anymore.
But whatever the name of the platform, there’s been some good content this week involving what we believe could end up being one of the better frontcourts in college basketball this season.
Sophomore forward Malik Reneau was one of the rare high school recruits who arrived on campus already right around his target weight. For the Miami, Fla. product, the mission has been to refine his body composition rather than put on more pounds.
Reneau is actually listed a couple pounds lower on IU’s current roster than his weight as a freshman. The reason why can be seen in one year transformation before and after photos posted by Reneau earlier this week.
Here’s how the 6-foot-9 and 233-pound Reneau has changed since arriving at Indiana. He also posted several enhancements to his athletic performance:
1 Year Transformation 💪🏽👀 pic.twitter.com/s0ZbbPZTmx
— Malik A. Reneau (@MalikReneau) August 8, 2023
Indiana will need more from Reneau as a rebounder and shot blocker, and he’ll be a greater asset if he can run the floor and guard the perimeter. These physical improvements should only help.
This is a time of year when the IU basketball players are off on their own for training purposes. Freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako has been back home in New Jersey. 247Sports national reporter Dushawn London shot nearly four minutes of the 6-foot-8 and 215-pound Mgbako working out at Newark Westside H.S.
Joining Mgbako in the workout was his younger brother Ethan, who is a 6-foot-5 guard in the class of 2026 with high major interest, including IU.
Indiana hopes Mgbako can become a high volume wing shooter this year. It’s just a highlight video, but he shows promise:
A few clips from todays workout with incoming Indiana freshman Mackenzie Mgbako and rising sophomore shooting guard Ethan Mgbako. pic.twitter.com/F3xj0UwUqh
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) August 7, 2023
As we reported earlier in the week, sophomore center Kel’el Ware is at the Nike Skills Academy in Portland, Ore. where he’s joined by other top college and high school prospects.
Playing in front of NBA scouts and media, Ware has demonstrated his ability to score at all three levels, handle the basketball in short bursts, and utilize his quickness to get to his spots as a pick-and-roll/pop man.
It has to translate to gameday, but it is difficult to remember the last 7-footer Indiana had with a skillset like this:
Kel'el Ware was impressive in drills again today at Nike Academy. Quick off his feet finishing lobs and diving out of pick and roll, with soft touch around the rim and out to 3. pic.twitter.com/2IK816goDc
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 9, 2023
Not many 7-footers who move as fluidly and have the type of skill-level Kel'el Ware does. Good opening day for him at Nike Academy. pic.twitter.com/DE61DSguBI
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 9, 2023
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