A familiar name is headed to the SEC. Chandler Bing just committed to Vanderbilt for the 2025-26 basketball season.
By now, you’ve hopefully realized it’s not that Chandler Bing, the quick-witted character portrayed by the late Matthew Perry, on the ’90s hit sitcom Friends. This Chandler Bing wasn’t even born when the show was still on the air. The basketball Bing is a 6’6″, 190 lbs. small forward from Atlanta, Georgia (Pace Academy). He is unranked and was originally committed to Texas State before reopening his recruitment in December. He took an official visit to Vanderbilt on Feb. 22 to see the Commodores beat Ole Miss. Just a few months later, he’s ready to bring his talents to West End to play for Mark Byington.
Committed #blessed #godores
pic.twitter.com/23K0ZLJgfV
— Chandler Bing (@Chandler_Bing35) April 30, 2025
Bing is the third member of Vanderbilt’s 2025 class, joining Jaylon Dean-Vines and Jayden Leverett. The Commodores return three players from last season’s squad that went 20-13 (8-10 in SEC play) and lost to Saint Mary’s in the first round of the NCAA Tournament: Devin McGlockton, Tyler Nickel, and Tyler Tanner. Along with the three freshmen, they’re adding six transfers: Frankie Collins (TCU), AK Okereke (Cornell), Mike James (NC State), Tyler Harris (Washington), Mason Nicholson (Jacksonville State), and Jalen Washington (North Carolina). As you know, in Mark Byington’s system, they will all be point guards.
Back to Bing. His parents have to be massive Friends fans, right? Either that or they unknowingly signed their son up for a lifetime of jokes, which I’m sure he’s used to and will hear again at every road venue. Could I be any more excited about this addition to the SEC? Maybe if Ms. Chanandler Bong also lands in the league where it just means more (Friends jokes).
SEC teams in 2025-26 Preseason Rankings
The SEC is coming off a banner season, with a record 14 teams making the NCAA Tournament and Florida winning it all as one of two teams from the league in the Final Four. Obviously, it’s early, but college basketball writers and analysts forecast a slightly less dominant 2025-26 campaign. Here is where SEC teams rank in the way-too-early Top 25s for next season (which are still subject to change given further additions/subtractions).
ESPN
9. Arkansas
10. Kentucky
15. Auburn
16. Tennessee
19. Florida
21. Alabama
25. Texas
CBS’ Gary Parrish
11. Kentucky
15. Florida
18. Auburn
19. Arkansas
20. Texas
21. Tennessee
23. Alabama
Jon Rothstein
10. Arkansas
12. Kentucky
14. Auburn
17. Florida
18. Tennessee
21. Alabama
25. Texas
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