Vanderbilt's Tanner and Nickel Earn 2026 NBA Draft Combine Invites

Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner and forward Tyler Nickel have received invitations to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, announced May 1. Both players will showcase their skills in front of NBA scouts from May 10‑17.

The NBA Draft Combine is a pre‑draft event where prospects undergo physical measurements, athletic drills, shooting contests, and team interviews. It helps franchises evaluate talent beyond college performance. The combine runs May 10‑17, with the NBA draft set for June 23‑24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Players who declare for the draft early can withdraw by May 27 and retain college eligibility if they wish to return to school. Tanner declared in April but kept that option, while Nickel has exhausted his collegiate eligibility.

Tanner, a sophomore, averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. He shot 48.5% from the field, 36.8% from three‑point range and 85.3% from the free‑throw line. He started all 36 games as Vanderbilt posted a 27‑9 record and reached the NCAA tournament’s second round.

Nickel played one season each at North Carolina and Virginia Tech before two years at Vanderbilt. In 2025‑26 he averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 40% from three‑point range. His collegiate eligibility has ended, making the combine his final chance to impress NBA decision‑makers.

Tanner’s stat line reflects a versatile guard who contributes scoring, playmaking and defense. Nickel’s three‑point shooting percentage highlights his spacing ability as a forward. Both numbers are above the average for their respective positions in the SEC.

The combine gives Tanner a direct avenue to boost his draft stock through measurable improvements in agility, shooting and interview performance. A strong showing could push him into first‑round discussion or reinforce his decision to remain in college for another year.

For Nickel, the event is critical to determine whether he secures a second‑round pick or explores professional opportunities overseas. Scouts will focus on his consistency from beyond the arc and his ability to defend multiple positions.

Vanderbilt’s recent success—27 wins and a deep tournament run—adds context to the players’ performances, suggesting they have competed at a high level in a competitive conference.

A strong combine performance can raise the program’s profile, helping attract future recruits who see a path to NBA exposure. Vanderbilt’s coaching staff often uses such outcomes to illustrate development pathways.

What to watch next: Observe how Tanner and Nickel perform in the combine’s agility drills, three‑point shooting contests, and team interviews, and whether either revises his draft declaration before the May 27 deadline.