Tyler Tanner, a sophomore guard for the Vanderbilt Commodores, is navigating a pivotal moment as the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline approaches. His recent predraft workout with the Memphis Grizzlies added a layer of intrigue, signaling a desire to test his mettle against professional competition.
A Workout That Sparked Debate
Despite a mixed showing at the NBA Combine — where he scored just two points in one scrimmage and allowed Ja'Kobi Gillespie to tally 28 — Tanner's statistical profile remains compelling. In his sophomore season he averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 48.5% from the field and 36.8% from three‑point range.
All ten NBA executives surveyed by Field of 68 insider Jeff Goodman echoed a common recommendation: Tanner should remain in school for another year, where he would become the highest‑paid player in Vanderbilt history.
The financial calculus is significant; staying would guarantee a lucrative contract that surpasses any previous Commodores payday, while also allowing Tanner to refine the off‑the‑bounce scoring and playmaking that both excite and concern NBA evaluators.
Yet the prospect's size continues to be a point of scrutiny, with analysts noting that his physical frame may limit his projection at the next level. Tanner has repeatedly expressed a preference to stay in the draft if the right opportunity arises, but the convergence of expert opinion and financial incentive makes a return to Nashville an increasingly attractive path.