Overview
Tyler Tanner closed out his senior year at Brentwood Academy as the Gatorade Tennessee Boys Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 26.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists per game. He stayed in state to play his college ball at Vanderbilt, and as a true freshman, he carved out a defensive role for the Commodores, averaging 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 20.5 minutes per game. Then came the leap. As a sophomore, Tanner put up 19.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.5 steals in 33.5 minutes per game, shooting 49%/37%/85%. He was remarkably efficient and took care of the ball while running the offense. Tanner earned First-Team All-SEC honors and a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team.
Career Highlights
- 2025-26 All-America Honorable Mention selection by AP and USBWA as a sophomore.
- 2025-26 All-SEC First Team, All-Defensive Team and SEC All-Tournament Team choice.
- Ranked fourth in the SEC in PPG (19.5), third in APG (5.1) and second in SPG (2.4) this past season.
- Set Vanderbilt single-season records in assists (184) and steals (86) in 2025-26.
- Parents (D’Wayne and Jenifer) both played basketball at Rice; sister, Amber, was a track star at Georgia.
Analysis
Tanner’s game is a combination of primary creator skill and bothersome defensive instincts as an undersized point guard. He plays with quick hands, reads passing lanes and generates steals at a high rate. Offensively, he attacks downhill with burst, gets to the line at will and his pull-up shooting opens up the rest of his game. He has the handle and deep shooting range to create separation. The tools are there for him to be an impactful two-way player at the NBA level despite being just six feet tall.
Projection
Tanner projects as a guard who can steer an offense while scoring off movement. His passing feel, deep shooting range and downhill burst are all NBA-ready tools, and his disruptive defensive instincts keep him viable against lineups that try to hunt him on the perimeter. The ball security and defensive deflections bring real two-way value even on nights when the shot is not falling. Tanner has drawn NBA comparisons to Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving and Ty Lawson. Tanner is the kind of guard who could begin his career as a microwave sixth man before establishing himself as a true starter.
— Profile by RotoWire.com with additional info from the official NBA Draft Media Guide