Former Vanderbilt guard Tyler Nickel, the 47th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks on Sunday, the team announced.
Nickel averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 40% from 3-point range in 36 games last season. He scored in double figures in 26 games, including a career-high 30-point performance on Dec. 13 in a win over Central Arkansas.
The 6-foot-7 Nickel ranked second in the SEC and 18th nationally in 3-pointers, with 110, which ranked third all-time in a single season in program history. He was one of 15 players to knock down eight or more 3s in multiple games (2).
.@nyknicks Sign Tyler Nickel to a Two-Way Contract pic.twitter.com/gDbxe6rzpM
— NY Knicks PR (@NY_KnicksPR) September 27, 2026
Nickel began his collegiate
career at North Carolina, then transferred to Virginia Tech before spending his last two years in Nashville. He finished his two-year run with the Commodores averaging 12 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 69 games.
The 23-year-old logged five appearances with the Knicks in summer league, averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 41.3% from 3-point range. He finished in double figures twice, including an 18-point performance on July 10.
Nickel will split his time next season between the NBA and the Westchester Knicks in the G League. He is eligible to play up to 50 games in the NBA and will earn $678,882, which is 50% of the minimum salary for a player with zero years of service.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Knicks sign 47th overall pick Tyler Nickel to two-way contract
