Vanderbilt Commodores

Early Signing Period Updates for Vanderbilt Basketball

Check out the latest for Commodores' basketball as Vanderbilt officially locks in its 2026 commitments.
Mason Woods|
Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington works the sideline during the first half of an NCAA Tournament First Round game at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington works the sideline during the first half of an NCAA Tournament First Round game at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt men's basketball is a program firmly on the rise after a strong 2024-25 season in which the Commodores defied all expectations and finished with a 20-13 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Entering last season, Vanderbilt was picked by the media to finish last in the SEC, and while a 12th place finish was not much better, it was massively unexpected for the poorly equipped Commodores' squad.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Nov 3, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Tanner (3) and forward Devin McGlockton (99) celebrate a made basket plus the foul against the Lipscomb Bisons during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

While the problem has since been addressed by way of both the transfer portal and now the 2026 recruiting class, Vanderbilt featured no players on last year's roster taller than 6-foot-8, something which massively handicapped an otherwise talented team in many of not only it's conference matchups, but in non conference play as well.

Despite their lack of presence in the paint, the Commodores were able to make up for it with impressive small ball lineups that gave opposing teams headaches all season long. Vanderbilt picked up several potentially program defining wins throughout the year, most notably taking down Kentucky at Memorial Gymnasium on January 25, 2025.

Head coach Mark Byington arrived in Nashville in March of 2024, and while his first recruiting class was a bit underwhelming with just three commits, all of which were ranked outside of the top 150 players in the nation, 2026 features three highly touted, extremely talented commitments.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington cheers on his team against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Aside from one strong season under former coach Jerry Stackhouse in 2022-23, the Commodores have been at or near the bottom of the SEC fot the better part of the last decade. While last season's 12th place finish, on its surface, does not appear to be a marked improvement, the hurdles that last year's team managed to overcome should give Vanderbilt fans a lot of hope for the future of the program under Byington.

With the additions of both size and athleticism coming from players in the 2026 class, the Commodores are positioned to take a step forward in both SEC standings and the program's national perception as a whole.

If the current upward trajectory for Byington in his second season as head coach continues, Vanderbilt could soon move from being an afterthought in the SEC, to becoming a true postseason contender poised for deep NCAA Tournament runs.

Stay tuned throughout the early signing period for the latest on the Commodores' 2026 recruiting class as Vanderbilt's commits are officially welcome to sign their letters of intent.

  1. SF Ethan Mgbako, 6-foot-6, 215 lbs. - Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)
  2. C Jackson Sheffield, 6-foot-9, 240 lbs. - Hoover High School (Hoover, Alabama)
  3. PG Anthony Brown, 6-foot-1, 160 lbs. - Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.)
  4. G Mavrick Hawkins, 6-foot-2, 180 lbs. - The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, Missouri)
  5. PG Baylor Allen, 6-foot-1, 155 lbs. - Providence Christian Academy (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
  6. PG Chase Byington, 6-foot-2 - Ensworth High School (Nashville, Tennessee)
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SF Ethan Mgbako, 6-foot-6, 215 lbs. - Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)

Hailing from the lauded Oak Hill Academy in Virginia which has produced stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Jennings and more, Mgbako is a very highly touted small forward, rated as a 4-Star prospect in the 2026 class. 

He possesses a lengthy, physically imposing frame, standing at 6-foot-6, 215 lbs., and is able to use his size and strength to get to his spots as a scorer with ease. He’s extremely gifted in the mid range, but has a lot of success finishing at the rim with a soft touch.

Mgbako suited up for Team Melo of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) this past year, and was one of the top scorers in the league, averaging just over 20 points per game. He also added nearly four assists, and 7.2 rebounds as well. 

The lengthy wing is ranked as the No. 28 small forward in the nation and the No. 4 player in the state of Virginia, according to 247Sports’ composite ranking. 

C Jackson Sheffield, 6-foot-9, 240 lbs. - Hoover High School (Hoover, Alabama)

Sheffield is arguably the most important piece of the Commodores’ class as he addresses a problem that plagued Vanderbilt in the 2024-25 season. While this year’s team does feature a bit more size than the year prior, adding a highly touted center prospect to the 2026 class is a massive boost for Mark Byington and the staff. 

Sheffield hails from Hoover, Alabama and is rated as a 4-Star prospect and ranked as the No. 14 center in the nation and the No. 2 player in the Yellowhammer State. He held offers from the likes of Maryland, Mississippi state, Oklahoma and many more before ultimately committing to the Commodores in September of this year. 

PG Anthony Brown, 6-foot-1, 160 lbs. - Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.)

Brown is another very highly touted prospect in the 2026 class. He hails from Washington, D.C. where he currently plays for Archbishop Carroll High School, which finished last season ranked as the No.5 team in the District of Columbia region, according to MaxPreps. 

Standing at 6-foot-1, 160 lbs., Brown is a 4-Star point guard with explosive athleticism and great speed. Like Mgbako, he also suited up in the EYBL and averaged just under 19 points per game with Team Durant. He also added nearly five assists and even grabbed 3.5 rebounds per contest as well. 

While he is a bit on the smaller size, Brown makes up for it with his excellent vision and athleticism. 

G Mavrick Hawkins, 6-foot-2, 180 lbs. - The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City, Missouri)

Hawkins became the first to officially sign with the Commodores on Thursday, November 13, just a day after the early signing period opened.

Though unranked as a prospect currently, the 6-foot-2, 180 lb. combo guard is incredibly athletic and seems to be a high ceiling type of prospect with the right development. He has excellent jumping ability, and is a solid ball handler, using his skills to effortlessly finish around the rim.

As a junior for The Pembroke School in Kansas City, Missouri, Hawkins averaged over 18 points per game with 4.2 assists. 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals as well.

PG Baylor Allen, 6-foot-1, 155 lbs. - Providence Christian Academy (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)

Baylor Allen is a local guard prospect from Providence Christian Academy (PCA) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Though unranked as a prospect, he is a talented player with a wide range of skills.

This past season, he helped lead PCA to a 30-2 regular season record and state championship win over Battleground Academy.

Allen is a speedy guard with the ability to get down the court quickly, and he is also an excellent shooter from beyond the arc. Though he is a bit undersized, he makes up for it by finding space for open shots along the perimeter.

PG Chase Byington, 6-foot-2 - Ensworth High School (Nashville, Tennessee)

Chase Byington, a 6-foot-2 guard prospect, is the son of head coach Mark Byington. He currently suits up for Ensworth High School in Nashville, which is ranked as the No. 21 team in the state of Tennessee, according to MaxPreps. The Tigers have already tipped off the 2025-26 season in victorious fashion, taking down Columbia Central High School, 74-48, on November 20.

Byington is a strong shooter from beyond the arc, and a solid defender with quick hands. Despite a somewhat undersized build, his quick release allows him to get difficult shots up over defenders that are closing out to the perimeter.

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Mason Woods
MASON WOODS

Mason Woods is the lead recruiting writer for Alabama Crimson Tide On SI/BamaCentral, Vanderbilt Commodores on SI, Boston College Eagles on SI and Missouri Tigers on SI. The Alabama graduate has worked in sports media since 2020, beginning his career in radio production with Tide 100.9 FM in Tuscaloosa. Woods has produced a multitude of live programs and has even hosted his own shows as well. He’s regularly part of “The Joe Gaither Show” on weekdays and serves as host of the “All Things Bama Podcast.”

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