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New York Knicks select Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel with 47th pick in 2026 NBA Draft
By Pat O'Donnell at WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate)
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
Nickel is the 43rd Vanderbilt men's basketball player to be selected in the NBA Draft. He is the first Commodore to be selected in the draft since 2020 when Aaron Nesmith and Saben Lee were selected in the first and second rounds, respectively.
Key takeaway He is the first Commodore to be selected in the draft since 2020 when Aaron Nesmith and Saben Lee were selected in the first and second rounds, respectively.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The selection of Tyler Nickel by the New York Knicks brings a sense of excitement and pride to the Vanderbilt community, marking a significant milestone for the university's men's basketball program. As the 43rd Commodore to be drafted into the NBA, Nickel's achievement highlights the program's ability to develop talented players who can compete at the highest level. The drought in draft picks since 2020, when Aaron Nesmith and Saben Lee were selected, makes Nickel's selection all the more notable. This pick is likely to generate renewed interest in Vanderbilt's basketball program, potentially boosting attendance and support for the team in the upcoming season. The local community will be watching Nickel's progress closely, eager to see how the young player from Vanderbilt will perform in the NBA.
About this story
Original reporting by WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Nickel is the 43rd Vanderbilt men's basketball player to be selected in the NBA Draft. He is the first Commodore to be selected in the draft since 2020 when Aaron Nesmith and Saben Lee were selected in the first and second rounds, respectively.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Pat O'Donnell at WKRN News 2 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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