Tyler Nickel of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship game at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2026, in Nashville.
Tyler Nickel of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the 2026 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship game at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2026, in Nashville.
Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel has reportedly entered his name in the transfer portal, though he currently has no eligibility remaining on the college level.
Nickel is one of several seniors across the nation who have made the move — one day before the men’s portal window closes — in hopes of keeping all options available if the NCAA opens the door for five years of eligibility later this spring.
Other players who have used the same strategy, according to an ESPN report, include Georgia forward Justin Abson, N.C. State guard Quadir Copeland and Providence guard Jayden Pierre. North Carolina guard Seth Trimble also entered the portal, according to a 247 report.
The NCAA confirmed last week it is studying an age-based model that would allow athletes five years of eligibility.
In that model, similar to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on April 3, an athlete’s window of eligibility would begin either when he/she turns 19 or graduates high school — whichever occurs first.
The 6-7, 222-pound Nickel averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists during the 2025-26 season, shooting 44.5 percent overall from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
A Virginia native, Nickel produced 12 games with at last least five three-point field goals made this season, including an 8-for-10 showing during a rout of Wake Forest in December 2025.
Three other Commodores players — forward Devin McGlockton, guard Duke Miles and forward Jalen Washington — exhausted their eligibility during the 2025-26 season.
Vandy has unofficially added three players in the portal — forward Bangot Dak (11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks at Colorado in 2025-26), guard Ace Glass III (16.1 points, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds at Washington State) and forward Berke Buyuktuncel (6.5 points, 5.6 rebounds at Nebraska).
It’s unclear whether Nickel would leave Vanderbilt if he received a fifth season of eligibility or whether putting his name in the portal is simply the best way to stay flexible if the NCAA eventually passes the “five-in-five” rule.
The NCAA’s Division I Cabinet chose not to take a position on the issue when it was discussed last week. The organization is reportedly next set to meet on May 22.
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