Duke basketball battling UNC and Kentucky for stellar recruit

Duke basketball head coach-in-waiting Jon Scheyer (Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports)

Mackenzie Mgbako may pit the Duke basketball coaches against familiar foes.

Duke basketball. UNC basketball. Kentucky basketball. At this early stage on the 2023 recruiting trail, those three programs — arguably the most recognizable bluebloods in college hoops — might be the most hopeful pursuers of Gill St. Bernard’s (N.J.) small forward Mackenzie Mgbako.

Sure, the 6-foot-8, 195-pound five-star noted several other suitors during a chat this week with 247Sports insider Dushawn London. They include Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, and UConn.

But Mgbako, who ranks No. 6 on the 247Sports 2023…