Tyler Tanner is already looking ahead to his junior season at Vanderbilt, determined to turn the lessons of a strong sophomore campaign into a decisive step toward the NBA. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the SEC’s First‑Team All‑Defense and ranking No. 10 in KenPom’s National Player of the Year list.
The offseason has found Tanner in California, working out alongside other NBA draft hopefuls. The sessions have given him a chance to address concerns about his frame and defensive consistency, especially after a challenging matchup against Arkansas guard Darius Acuff in the SEC Championship.
Sharpening the details
Trainer Spencer Richardson has laid out a plan to improve Tanner’s catch‑and‑shoot efficiency and to tighten his defense, aiming to ease the minds of NBA evaluators who have praised his offensive ability but have questioned his durability and defensive reliability.
Coach Mark Byington believes another year at Vanderbilt could push Tanner into the first‑round conversation for the 2026 draft, but stresses that the player’s ultimate goal is to become a more dynamic, all‑around piece on the court, both as a scorer and a leader in the locker room.