Vanderbilt point guard Tyler Tanner has withdrawn from the 2026 NBA Draft and will return to the Commodores for his junior season, the university announced Wednesday.
The 20-year-old was projected as the No. 35 overall pick by ESPN in its recent mock draft simulation, placing him just outside the first round.
Tanner participated in a pre-draft workout with the Memphis Grizzlies before making his final decision ahead of the deadline.
Draft evaluators expressed concerns about his physical stature after he measured 5-foot-10¾ and 167 pounds at the NBA scouting combine.
His draft stock fluctuated after he scored two points in one combine scrimmage and allowed opponent Ja'Kobi Gillespie to score 28 points in another.
According to sources cited by Vandy on SI, returning to school provides Tanner with a lucrative opportunity, as he is positioned to become the most highly-compensated player in Vanderbilt basketball history.
All 10 NBA executives polled by Field of 68 insider Jeff Goodman advised the guard to return to college for one more season to solidify his draft stock.
"The quote that I live by is live where your feet are," Tanner told Vandy on SI during the NCAA Tournament.
The guard credited this mentality with helping him navigate the decision-making process alongside his family and representation at CAA Sports.
"I've learned a lot about balance and everything through it," Tanner added. "A lot of it's just leaning on the people close to me about it."
Tanner did not enter the transfer portal before the April 21 deadline, immediately boosting the outlook for head coach Mark Byington.
Vanderbilt currently boasts the No. 20 ranked incoming freshman class and the No. 20 transfer class, according to 247Sports, featuring additions like Ace Glass, Bangot Dak, and Sebastian Williams-Adams.
During his breakout sophomore campaign, Tanner averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc.
He led the 27-9 Commodores to a 5-seed in the NCAA tournament, scoring 26 points against McNeese and 27 points in a subsequent loss to Nebraska.
The First-Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team selection also set a single-season program record with 86 steals.
His presence is expected to position Vanderbilt as a preseason Top 25 team for the 2026-27 season.
