Tyler Nickel returns to the Commonwealth after spending his first collegiate season at North Carolina. The Virginia High School League's all-time leading scorer dialed up 2,909 career points at East Rockingham High School in Elkton, Va. A versatile wing, Nickel is a gifted 3-point shooter with the ability to take defenders off the dribble. Look for the 6-foot-7 sophomore to flourish in Mike Young's system and become a key contributor for the Hokies in 2023-24.
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Let's get to know Tyler:
What is your nickname?
TNick
What is your favorite food?
Chicken
What is your favorite movie or Netflix series?
He Got Game or Coach Carter
Who is your favorite basketball player?
LeBron
What are your favorite basketball shoes?
LeBrons
What is your favorite hobby outside of basketball?
Watching combat sports
What is your favorite sport outside of basketball?
Boxing or MMA
Where is your favorite spot in Blacksburg?
THE GYM
What are you looking forward to the most playing in Cassell?
Hearing/seeing everyone jumping up and down to Enter Sandman
What do you remember the most about your first time playing in Cassell last December?
The energy was elite
What is your favorite basketball memory?
Breaking the all-time high school scoring record in Virginia
What were some of the key factors in deciding to transfer to Virginia Tech?
Relationship with coaches and style of play
What are three strengths of your game?
Scoring, aggressiveness, dog mentality
What is one fun fact Tech fans should know about you?
I'm super competitive and here to win
With you being one of them, who is in your dream starting five?
Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, me, Kevin Garnett, Shaq
What's on your pregame playlist?
A lot of Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo and NBA YoungBoy
Where is the favorite place you've traveled to?
Probably California
Describe Coach Young in one word:
Real
When did you start playing basketball?
"Officially" since i was 3
What is the best advice you've ever received?
"You can't ever cheat the process, you only cheat yourself"
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose?
DJ Khaled
If you could only have two apps on your phone, what would they be?
iMessage and FaceTime
What are the top three things on your bucket list?
Play in the NBA, win an NBA Finals, own my own island
