Tyler Tanner’s sophomore campaign at Vanderbilt was nothing short of a breakout. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, positioning himself as the Commodores’ leading scorer and No. 10 in KenPom’s National Player of the Year rankings.
Reflecting on the summer, Tanner says the work he put in alongside other NBA Draft hopefuls in California has reshaped his game. “I’ve evolved as a player,” he notes, emphasizing the value of competing against future professionals.
The next step, according to Tanner, is adding weight to his frame — a concern for NBA evaluators — while sharpening his defense and shooting. His trainer, Spencer Richardson, is guiding the effort to turn those improvements into a more dynamic all‑around presence.
Defensive Challenges and Growth
Defensively, Tanner earned SEC First‑Team All‑Defense honors and ranked 32nd nationally in steal rate, yet he acknowledges a tough test against Arkansas guard Darius Acuff in the SEC Championship. “Guarding Acuff showed me where I need to be more consistent,” he says.
Shooting remains a focal point; Tanner posted a 34.1% clip from three‑point range in league play and aims to raise that number while becoming a more reliable defender. Richardson believes the combination of skill and leadership will elevate Tanner’s profile.
Despite the work ahead, Tanner’s camp is confident he could have been drafted in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft and might even see NBA minutes next year. The trajectory suggests a player poised to translate collegiate success into professional impact.