Tyler Tanner’s all-SEC season leads Commodores – WSMV

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Tyler Tanner is the engine that makes Vanderbilt go.
This season, he’s been special.
He leads the team in scoring.
He leads the conference in steals.
But, in his second year as a Commodore, there’s one part of his game he takes the most pride in.
“I think my leadership. I think that was a big step for me, being more vocal,” said Tanner.
“And like I’ve talked to Coach, like last year he wanted me to be a leader as one of the returners. And just being vocal and leading by example, I think I’ve gotten a lot better about that.”
Tanner’s gotten better at everything.
After taking over the starting point guard spot, he spent the off-season improving his shooting. Time at an Under 19 National Team Training Camp over the summer added another invaluable tool.
“I realized that I belonged. I knew I could hang with anybody. I thought I was the best player there and that just instilled confidence in me that carried over into this season,” he said.
Tanner also spends more minutes on the floor than anyone on his team. It’s all part of what he envisioned as a Mr. Basketball winner down the street at Brentwood Academy.
A local guy, who wanted to play in Memorial Gym and help lift his hometown school.
“Yeah, it’s very special. Just seeing Vanderbilt throughout the years when they’re struggling or when they’re good. Just being a part of a culture that brings joy back to Vanderbilt sports. Like all of campus is so excited about sports now. And it’s been very special to be a part of it,” Tanner said.
The Commodores have 24 wins this season — their most since 2012. Ironically, that’s the last year Vanderbilt won the SEC tournament.
This week, they will try to end that drought.
“A SEC tournament championship is something that I bet all of us have dreamed of, at least a conference championship. And then being able to do it in the SEC, which I think is the best conference in the country, like, that’s special,” he said. “Going through the top teams and the top players, so it’s definitely a goal for us.”
It’s a goal that Tanner isn’t taking lightly, despite getting some buzz about potential NBA draft opportunities.
“For me, just taking it one game at a time, I’m so thankful to be able to play college basketball in my hometown. It’s like every game, like after the game, before the game, I’m like, I’m just blessed and so thankful,” Tanner said. “And that eliminates looking into the future whenever you focus on where you are right now. So that’s been a big part of my mentality this year.“
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