Tennessee Basketball announces the signing of transfer guard Chaz Lanier
North Florida transfer guard Chaz Lanier has signed with Tennessee Basketball. The Vols announced the signing on Saturday afternoon, one day after Lanier committed to Tennessee over Kentucky on BYU.
“We are happy to welcome Chaz and his family to Rocky Top,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said in a press release. “As soon as Chaz entered the transfer portal, we identified him as someone we would love to bring home to the Volunteer State. Our fan base will love his character, humility and work ethic, as well as his strong basketball IQ.”
Lanier, the high-scoring guard and a Nashville native, is the fourth player from the NCAA Transfer Portal to sign with Tennessee over the last two months, joining Hofstra wing Darlinstone Dubar, Ohio State center Felix Okpara and Charlotte forward Igor Milicic Jr.
Lanier, who attended Ensworth School in Nashville before going to North Florida, averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 33.4 minutes per game last season, shooting 51.0% from the field and 44.0% from the 3-point line.
Home is where the heart is!! 🧡🙏🏽— CHAZ LANIER (@Swaggychaz) May 24, 2024
Lanier announced his intentions to go through the NBA Draft process on March 16 and entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on April 24. He has until May 29 to remove his name from the NBA Draft to retain collegiate eligibility.
“He has already proven to be one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball,” Barnes said, “and we feel his ability to put the ball in the basket from all over the floor will translate well to the SEC. Chaz has a desire to help us win another SEC championship, as well as contend for a national title.
“It is clear his goals and mindset blend well with the rest of the guys in our program and this is an excellent fit. Chaz’s excitement about the opportunity to return to a state he loves so much was evident to us and we know Vol Nation will embrace him from day one.”
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Chaz Lanier last season: College basketball’s most efficient scorer
According to Synergy Basketball, his 19.7 points came on just 16.3 possessions per game, putting him at 1.20 points per possession and ranked No. 1 in scoring efficiency last season.
Lanier at the G League Elite Camp measured in at 6-foot-3.75 without shoes. He had a 6-foot-9 wingspan and weighed in at 196.0 pounds. He had a max vertical of 36.0 inches and a standing vertical of 30.0 inches.
In two games there he scored 10 points in 33 minutes, going 3-for-7 from the field, including 1-for-4 from the 3-point line, and aded five rebounds, an assist and a turnover.
Tennessee has added three players from NCAA Transfer Portal so far
Rick Barnes and his staff is in the midst of changing seven total roster spots from the 2023-24 to 2024-25 seasons. The three transfers added to this point helped offset the losses of forwards Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka, as well as redshirt freshmen guards Freddie Dilione V and DJ Jefferson, who all entered the transfer portal in April.
Aidoo transferred to Arkansas and Aidoo went to Arizona. Dilione signed with Penn State and Jefferson is headed to Longwood.
Tennessee still had three open roster spots to fill before Lanier’s signing.
