Four-star wing Ethan Mgbako is heading to Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6 scorer out of Somerset, New Jersey, just gave head coach Mark Byington his first pledge in the 2026 class. It is a massive commitment for Commodores, considering that Mgbako is Vanderbilt’s highest-ranked high school commit since Aaron Nesmith.
However, with that commitment, Vanderbilt might be locking down a star while losing its grip on another.
Ethan Mgbako’s Vanderbilt Pledge Shakes Up Landscape, Boosts Oklahoma State and Providence in Parker Robinson Chase
That ‘other’ is Parker Robinson, a four-star shooting guard out of Atlanta’s Overtime Elite. Robinson has been on Vanderbilt’s radar for quite some time now, but Mgbako’s arrival suddenly clouds the picture.
When asked about the commitment, Robinson admitted he wasn’t sure where that leaves him with the Commodores. As Robinson himself puts it, “I’m not sure how that’ll kind of shake up things between me and them now or where we stand on that, but coaches are super nice, they’ve been very up front as well, so just trying to figure out where everything goes from here.”
Now that the window of uncertainty has opened, Oklahoma State and Providence can gain ground. At 6-foot-5, Robinson has already proven himself as a versatile weapon. He has already proven himself on the EYBL circuit, averaging 14.1 points on 46% shooting with Team Takeover this summer.
4 SG Parker Robinson sets first official visit.
Where things stand with Oklahoma State, Clemson, Providence & Vanderbilt — plus what’s next.
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Robinson calls himself a “combo guard,” and no doubt, he can cut, drift, and shoot. “Overall, a school is going to get a hard-working guy who plays both ends of the ball, and a leader who can shoot, and kind of like the Swiss Army knife,” adds Robinson. With his growing ability to play off high-level talent, like he did alongside Alex Moody, Qayden Samuels, and Jordan Smith Jr., he looks like a perfect plug-and-play guard for a power program.
That versatility and plug-and-play power is exactly what Oklahoma State wants. The Cowboys don’t have a single commit in the 2026 class yet, but new head coach Steve Lutz is swinging big. Robinson already has an official visit lined up for Stillwater in October, and the connection feels strong.
“I’ll say the coaching staff is a focal point for me,” Robinson explained. “I’ve sat down with the coaches before. They came to Atlanta to talk to me. And they’re just really down-to-earth, genuine guys. They’ve been very open throughout the whole recruiting process… They know I can shoot the ball at a high level… outside of that, they just like the way I play, high-energy guy, I think I’m good for the culture.”
Lutz, who is now in his first full season at the helm of Oklahoma State, comes in with serious momentum built from past success. At Western Kentucky, his Hilltoppers led the nation in tempo and ranked among the best in scoring and effective field goal percentage, capturing a CUSA Tournament title. For OSU, Lutz is selling a fast-paced, high-energy culture, and he sees Parker Robinson as the exact kind of “glue guy.”
Providence, on the other hand, has its own ace in Kim English. And they are leaning heavily on the hometown connection. The Friars also have no 2026 commitments yet, but English has been relentless in DMV recruiting, and Robinson is a DMV product himself. “Kim English stands out for me,” Robinson said.
The Friars are fresh off seasons where English has developed pros like Devin Carter, and Robinson has noticed. The cultural connection, the chance to make an early impact, and the hype around Providence’s recent momentum give the Friars a real shot. “Campus is beautiful, so it’s a position I can see myself coming into, making an impact right away,” added Robinson.
English is entering his second season as Providence’s head coach, rapidly elevating the Friars into Big East prominence. In his first year, he guided PC to a 21-14 record, including six Quad 1 wins, and advanced them to the NIT, marking the first 20-win debut for a Friars coach. In 2024-25, Providence saw two freshmen earn Big East All-Freshman Team honors under his watch.
Of course, Vanderbilt isn’t entirely out, and Clemson and Virginia are hanging around too. But Ethan’s commitment has definitely altered the picture. At 6’6″, Ethan is a physical wing scorer who thrives in the mid-range, rebounds like a big man, and is just starting to stretch his game outward. With him on board, Vanderbilt’s need for another ball-dominant guard shrinks.
Robinson admitted, “I’ve had a little bit of conversations with Vanderbilt, a little bit with Clemson, so just trying to figure out what will be the best fit for me.” For now, his timeline points to the winter. He isn’t in a rush but knows exactly what he’s looking for. Robinson needs trust from the staff, a family feel, and a chance to play immediately.
