Vanderbilt Among Top Schools for Two Elite Basketball Prospects

Mark Byington and the Vanderbilt basketball staff have the Commodores in position to land two premium prospects in the 2026 class.

Mar 8, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Mark Byington on the sidelines against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Vanderbilt men's basketball has remained active on the recruiting trail throughout the summer, lining up visits and extending offers to talented prospects from the 2026 class.

This week, the efforts of Mark Byington and his staff began to pay off as the Commodores landed among the top schools for two elite prospects in the upcoming class. The first was 4-Star small forward Aziz Olajuwon, according to Dushawn London of 247Sports.

NEWS: Aziz Olajuwon, the No. 61 overall prospect in the class of 2026, is now down to four schools, @247Sports is told.

Olajuwon is the son of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon. https://t.co/FBjOUrsDQJ pic.twitter.com/eWAB2ZRdH3

— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) September 15, 2025

The 6-foot-7, 210 lb. prospect is the son of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon and is ranked as one of the top players in the entire nation. He originally suited up for Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, but recently transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his senior season.

In his junior season, Olajuwon averaged just under 20 points per game with nine rebounds and 1.2 blocks for the Clements Rangers. He also spent time recently with Team Canada in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, helping his team to a fifth place finish in 2025. He averaged just over 14 minutes per game, scoring 7.3 points with 2.3 rebounds.

The lengthy wing is expected to be in Nashville on September 19 for an official visit.

The next player to name the Commodores among his final schools was 4-Star power forward Gage Mayfield, according to Travis Branham of 247Sports. He named Vanderbilt alongside Tennessee, Florida State and Oklahoma and is expected to make his announcement in the coming days on September 18.

NEWS: Gage Mayfield, the No. 60 overall recruit in the 2026 class, is down to four schools and will announce his college decision on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 2:45 PM CT, a source tells @247Sports.

Story: https://t.co/Yjp2iCJmcK pic.twitter.com/p2IMCxw15L

— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) September 17, 2025

Hailing from Hale County High School in Moundville, Alabama, Mayfield is a physical player with the ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. He has long arms which help him disrupt passing lanes and lock down bigger opponents, and he has an excellent feel for finding space within the defense for getting to open looks.

Mayfield was recently in Nashville for an official visit on September 6, and he has also made trips to his other three finalists as well: Tennessee (June 23), Florida State (August 1), Oklahoma (September 13).

As of now, the Commodores hold one commitment in the 2026 recruiting class from 4-Star small forward Ethan Mgbako, but are expecting several more visitors throughout the fall.

Vanderbilt Men's Basketball Official Visitors

• 4-Star SF Aziz Olajuwon (September 19)
• 4-Star PG Anthony Brown (September 20)
• 4-Star SF Trent Perry (September 26)
• 4-Star SG DaKari Spear (September 26)
• 4-Star CG Caleb House (October 10)
• 4-Star SF Jayden Hodge (October 10)
• 4-Star PF Jalan Wingfield (October 16)
• 4-Star PF Jalyn Collingwood (October 17)

2026 Vanderbilt Basketball Commits

• 4-Star SF Ethan Mgbako, 6-foot-6, 215 lbs. - Mouth of Wilson, Virginia (Committed 09/11/2025)