Tennessee Basketball’s Quest for a Scoring Guard: Can Chaz Lanier Fill the Void?

As the Tennessee Volunteers look to rebuild their roster for the 2024-25 season, one position stands out as a glaring need: a scoring guard. With the departure of SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht, Rick Barnes and his staff are on the hunt for a player who can fill the void left by Knecht’s impressive production. Enter Chaz Lanier, a highly touted transfer guard from North Florida who is scheduled to visit Tennessee on Tuesday.

Chaz Lanier, a top target for Tennessee basketball

Lanier, a 6-foot-4, 199-pound shooting guard, is one of the top remaining players in the transfer portal. After a breakout senior season at North Florida, where he averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, Lanier is now exploring his options for his final year of eligibility. With his ability to score from anywhere on the court, Lanier could be the answer to Tennessee’s prayers.

“I’m not just looking for a player who can score; I’m looking for a player who can make his teammates better,” said Rick Barnes in a recent interview. “Chaz Lanier has that ability, and we’re excited to see what he can bring to our program.”

Lanier’s impressive stats from last season are hard to ignore. He shot 51% from the field, 44% from three-point range, and 88% from the foul line. According to Synergy, Lanier was the most efficient offensive player in college basketball last season, totaling 1.20 points per possession used.

Lanier’s impressive stats from last season

Tennessee is not the only school vying for Lanier’s services, however. Kentucky appears to be the Volunteers’ toughest competition, with Maryland also in the mix. But with Lanier’s ties to the state of Tennessee - he’s a Nashville native who played prep basketball at the Ensworth School - the Vols may have an edge in the recruitment process.

As Tennessee looks to rebuild its roster for the upcoming season, the addition of Chaz Lanier would be a huge coup. With his scoring prowess and ability to make his teammates better, Lanier could be the missing piece to the Volunteers’ puzzle.

Tennessee basketball is on the rise

Will Lanier choose Tennessee, or will he opt for another program? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Volunteers need a player like Lanier to take their program to the next level.