Standout sophomore among the final 20 for National Player of the Year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt sophomore Tyler Tanner has been added to the John R. Wooden Award® late midseason watchlist, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced on Monday evening.
The list features 20 of the nation’s top players who are considered frontrunners for the Wooden Award® Most Outstanding Player and Wooden Award® All-American Team. The Brentwood native is averaging 18.6 points per game this season, including 22.0 in SEC play. He also averages 5.3 assists per contest on the year and 5.9 in SEC action. Defensively, Tanner once again ranks among the nation’s elite, averaging 2.48 steals per game.
The sophomore is one of two players in the country and the only high-major athlete averaging better than 17.5 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals this season.
He has scored in double figures in all 23 games this season and ranks among the top 15 in the nation in steals. He leads the SEC with 57 total steals on the season.
Celebrating its fiftieth year, the Wooden Award has featured special programming with first winner and ambassador Marques Johnson, culminating in the 2026 John R. Wooden Award presented by Principal. Winners, All-Americans, and the recipient of the Legends of Coaching Award, Matt Painter of Purdue, will be honored at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday, April 10, 2026.
About the John R. Wooden Award®
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award Program hosts the most prestigious honors in college basketball, recognizing the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player for men and women, the Wooden Award All-America Teams for men and women, and the annual selection of the Wooden Award Legends of Coaching recipient.
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