Tyler Tanner Named SEC Preseason Player of the Year
The Vanderbilt guard received top honors following a standout 2025-26 season.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Is returning to college for another season generally a good career move for elite athletes?
Basket Under Review has named Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner the SEC Preseason Player of the Year for the 2026-27 season. Additionally, the publication ranked the Vanderbilt basketball team at No. 7 in its SEC preseason poll.
Why it matters
Tanner's recognition follows a decision to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Nashville, cementing his status as a pivotal figure for the program. His return positions Vanderbilt as a serious contender in a competitive conference season.
Tanner averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game during the 2025-26 campaign while maintaining a 11.4 Box Plus-Minus. He achieved this production while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from 3-point range.
The players
Tyler Tanner
He is a standout Vanderbilt guard and the SEC Preseason Player of the Year for 2026-27.
Mark Byington
He serves as the head coach of the Vanderbilt men's basketball team.
The details
Tanner is noted for his efficiency, having recorded an offensive rating above 125 on a usage rate exceeding 25 percent in 2025-26. He averaged only 1.9 turnovers per game, contributing to expectations that he will become one of the best players in Vanderbilt history.
Timeline
Tyler Tanner played his previous college basketball season in 2025-26.
Coach Mark Byington provided comments on Tyler Tanner during the summer of 2026.
Tanner received his preseason honors ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Big Picture
Tanner's leadership and national ranking mark a significant departure from the program's recent past, specifically the 2023-24 season opening night loss to Presbyterian.
Tanner's return significantly bolsters Vanderbilt's perimeter production and overall offensive efficiency compared to the previous season. Fans can expect him to maintain a high-usage role that should keep his scoring and assist averages among the top tier of SEC players.
The takeaway
Tanner is expected to be one of the best players in the history of the Vanderbilt basketball program. His decision to return provides stability and elite offensive production that will define the team's ceiling this year.
Further reading
For more updates on the upcoming season, visit Nashville Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
Live Poll
Is returning to college for another season generally a good career move for elite athletes?
