Roughly 30 minutes after getting off a recruiting call with Class of 2027 standout Gabe Nesmith on Monday, Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington heard his phone buzz again.
It was Nesmith, but this time, the five-star prospect wasn’t seeking more information. He had made his decision, and there was no sense in delaying its announcement. He told Byington and director of recruiting Chad Meyers that he was committing to the Commodores. A lot of screaming ensued.
The celebration was certainly warranted. A 6-foot-5 small forward out of Overtime Elite in Atlanta, Nesmith is Vanderbilt’s third-highest ranked commit (No. 20 in the 247Sports Composite) in the modern recruiting era, trailing only forward Simi Shittu and guard Darius Garland. Nesmith took an official visit two weeks ago and ultimately chose the Commodores over Providence, USC, Auburn, Kansas and more high-majors.
“What stood out to me was the coaching staff and the direction they’re going in,” Nesmith tells Hoops HQ. “(Byington) hasn’t always been at Vandy, but he’s won everywhere else he’s been. And he’s making people better every year. I feel like they believe in me a lot. Every coach is going to tell you that you’re good and this, that and the third, but it’s different (with Vandy). A different type of belief.”
Nesmith’s cousin, Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith, played for the Commodores from 2018-20 before being drafted by the Boston Celtics. During his two seasons, Vanderbilt went 20-44 overall and 3-33 in conference play. Gabe’s decision speaks to how far the program has come since Byington took over in 2024. After a lengthy NCAA Tournament drought, the Commodores have gone dancing in back-to-back years and established themselves as true contenders in the SEC. They have continued to garner momentum this offseason, re-signing All-SEC guard Tyler Tanner for the 2026-27 campaign and now landing Nesmith for 2027-28.
“When my dad and I went there the first time on an unofficial (visit), we definitely believed in Coach Byington and what they had going on,” Nesmith says. “And then seeing him actually go out there and do it and start the year the way they did — and it didn’t really die down after that, it kept going — you could just tell that it was good energy there.”
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With Nesmith on board, the future looks even brighter for the Commodores. The 17-year-old has the talent to become a star at the college level and potentially emerge as a one-and-done. He gives Vanderbilt a centerpiece to build around as recruiting season heats up in July.
With smooth handles, elite athleticism and a deep bag of moves, Nesmith is one of the premier three-level scorers in his class. Playing with Nightrydas on the Nike EYBL circuit, he is currently averaging 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals. During Session III in Kansas City, he led his team to a 4-0 record with three 20-plus point performances. “Gabe is very dynamic. He has a certain pace that a lot of guys can never ever tap into,” Nightrydas coach David McDaniel III tells Hoops HQ. “Once he gets going in his rhythm, it’s a wrap. You’re not stopping him. That midrange is like a layup.”
Nesmith has the tools to thrive in Byington’s fast-paced, five-out system. Last season, Vanderbilt ranked 14th nationally in points per game (85.7) and eighth in adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom. “People who are shooters and scorers always thrive in his offense, so I feel like I could definitely get to that point,” Nesmith says. “They run a lot of ball screens, and I would say I’m comfortable with coming off ball screens.”
In addition to being an advanced shot creator, Nesmith has been improving as a facilitator. “People talk about my scoring all the time, but playmaking is something that I take more pride in than anything else,” he adds. The biggest knock on him has been a lack of consistency on defense, but he has shown a greater commitment to that end throughout the AAU season. According to McDaniel, Nesmith has been asking for tough defensive assignments to prove that he isn’t just a one-way player.
When Nightrydas faced LivOn during Session I in Atlanta, Nesmith guarded five-star guard Ryan Hampton. While the Kentucky commit finished with 29 points, he shot just 36.4 percent from the field, as Nightrydas secured the 78-66 victory. “He’s been showing a different intensity when he is engaged on the defensive end that we haven’t really seen from him,” McDaniel says. “And I think that’s the key to unlocking his future as well.”
A month later, Hampton switched programs from LivOn to Nightrydas. When McDaniel asked why he chose Nightrydas, Hampton referenced the team’s relentless defense. “He was like, ‘Man, the way y’all guarded me — I got 29, but that was the hardest 29 of my life. I want to be a part of something like that,’” McDaniel recalls.
Combine his defensive upside with his pure scoring ability and Nesmith has as high a ceiling as any wing in the country. Vanderbilt fans won’t get to see their new star at Memorial Gymnasium for another year, but at least he didn’t keep them — or coach Byington — waiting long for his commitment. Until next season, the excitement will only grow in Nashville.
“They can expect a great attitude, a great teammate, and somebody who’s going to bring energy to the court,” Nesmith says, “and hopefully bring back an SEC championship and a national championship.”
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