BABCOCK HOOPS · SCOUTING REPORT
Tyler Tanner
HT / WT
6'0", 175 lbs
TEAM
Vanderbilt
POSITION
Guard
CLASS
Junior
BIRTHDATE
February 1, 2006
PLAYING HISTORY
Brentwood Academy (TN) · HS
HOMETOWN
Brentwood, Tennessee
NATIONALITY
United States
PLAYER OVERVIEW
Tyler Tanner is an explosive, shifty guard who plays with pace and craft as a primary initiator. He pressures the paint, draws fouls, and creates offense as both a scorer and a facilitator. Despite being undersized, he shows legitimate pop as a vertical athlete and has the quickness to consistently win advantages off the bounce. His big-swing skill is his perimeter shot, where he needs to improve volume and efficiency. Tanner’s ability to control the game at high speed is the most evident and valuable element of his game.
Tanner has waterbug-like quickness and a crafty game. However, his lack of size is an issue. Scouts will have to juggle whether his talent outweighs the disadvantages his size creates.
— Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
EVALUATION
STRENGTHS
Burst & Shiftiness: Very quick with the ball, changes speeds well, and consistently gets into the lane.
Scoring Pressure: Attacks downhill, finishes creatively, and can play above the rim in space despite his size.
Foul Drawing: Gets into defenders' bodies and earns free throws at a strong rate for a smaller guard.
Crafty Playmaking: Creates passing angles off penetration, makes quick reads, and delivers well.
Point-of-Attack Defense: Aggressive on the ball, competes, and jumps passing lanes to force turnovers.
Tempo Control: Dictates pace and keeps defenses on their heels by staying in attack mode.
CONCERNS
Size & Frame: Undersized with a slight build, which can cap matchups and create problems against bigger guards and wings.
Shot Selection: Can drift toward difficult, off-balance attempts when he's moving too fast and playing outside the flow.
Perimeter Shooting Volume: The three-point profile is still a question: low volume, and he needs more consistent pull-up and pick-and-roll attempts.
BOTTOM LINE
Tanner's calling card is speed, craft, and downhill creation. He has the burst to bend a defense, the feel to make plays off the advantage, and the competitive edge to be a disruptive on-ball defender. His size is a significant issue, and he'll need to prove his jumper can translate with more volume and cleaner decision-making. But if those pieces trend the right way, his ability to control games at NBA-level pace gives him a chance.
