Indiana men’s basketball sophomore center Kel’el Ware and freshman forward Mackenzie Mgbako headlined the Hoosiers’ Big Ten award recipients.
Ware was voted All-Big Ten second team by the media, All-Big Ten third team by the coaches and All-Defensive team. Mgbako received Co-Freshman of the Year and All-Freshman team. Additionally, sophomore forward Malik Reneau was tabbed an All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Ware finished the season tallying team-highs of 16.1 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game. He posted 14 double-doubles and averaged 22.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game during Indiana’s four-game win streak to close out the regular season.
Mgbako shrugged off a slow start to his season with a strong conference campaign to finalize totals of 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He led Big Ten freshman in scoring, was second in 3-pointers made (49) and was third in total rebounds (123). Indiana became the first team to secure back-to-back All-Big Ten Freshman of the Year awards since Michigan State in 2017-18.
Reneau earned his honorable mention mark from both the coaches and media. He wrapped up his season with 15.7 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game and 2.7 assists per game.
Purdue head coach Matt Painter won his fifth Big Ten Coach of the Year, tying former Indiana head coach Bob Knight for second-most all-time. Painter trails former Purdue head coach Gene Keady, who earned the honor seven times.
Follow reporters Will Foley (@foles24) and Matt Press (@MattPress23) and columnist Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
