Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Chaz Lanier Draft Projection – Where Will the Volunteers Guard Land in the 2025 NBA Draft?

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Chaz Lanier, a sharpshooting guard from Tennessee, has emerged as a standout talent after a winding college journey. Starting at the Ensworth School in Nashville, he committed to University of Florida, redshirting his 2020-21 season. Lanier’s breakout came as a sophomore in 2022-23, earning Athletic Sun Player of the Week honors, but it was his fourth years that really turned heads. As a full-time starter, he averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, securing Atlantic Sun First Team All-Conference.

Transferring to Tennessee for 2024-25 season, Lanier started and posted 18.0 points on 43 percent from the field, a remarkable 40 percent from beyond-the-arc, and 76 percent from the charity stripe, along with 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, proving his consistency. His 41.2 percent accuracy from the 3-pt line (shooting 256-for-621 over three seasons) is what stands out as he demands tight defense, as he excels coming off screens and firing away on the move. Lanier’s mid-range shooting and occasional drives to the rim, rounds out his offensive arsenal. Defensively, he can hold his own, capable of guarding multiple positions, though not a true lockdown defender. His NBA comparison is Gary Trent Jr. and Malik Beasley, and his role as a high-upside bench scorer with room to grow positions him as a valuable asset in today’s fast-paced game.

Two seasons ago, Chaz Lanier averaged 4.7 PPG as a junior in college at North Florida.

This week, he will hear his name called in the NBA Draft.

Chaz on the importance of self-belief and trusting your work: pic.twitter.com/aR9bpQ08Im
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) June 25, 2025

Chaz Lanier’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Strong frame built for contact
Elite 3-pt shooting
Consistently great at shooting, posting 40% or better accuracy in multiple years
Lightening-fast release on his jumpers
Can catch-and-shoot coming off of screens
Microwave of a scorer who can heat up in no time
Can handle contact and has the body control to make tough finishes inside
Cuts well and does not need the ball in his hands to be effective
Not afraid to guard bigger offensive players and
Has shown flashes of being a clutch player

Chaz Lanier is one of the premier snipers in this draft. This guy has the length, athleticism and overall shot making ability to be a high impact rotational piece at the next level. Think Buddy Hield/Isaiah Joe mold. He’ll be a productive NBA player.💎 pic.twitter.com/gIG9cN6BOh
— Savant Hoops (@SavantHoops) June 24, 2025

Weaknesses

Low release point while shooting, which could be easily contested in the NBA
Struggles to create separation and need to work on his ability to create space off the dribble
Lacks quick first step and explosiveness
Limited playmaking ability, averaging only 1.5 assists per game
Decision making with his passes can be a lot better
Is not a vertical athlete, and is more craft with his finishes than lifting himself to the basket
Will turn 24 during his rookie season, which may not be ideal for a lot of NBA teams

Chaz Lanier’s Stats and Accomplishments

Chaz Lanier played for all five seasons at North Florida (2020-2024) and Tennessee (2025) and his overall averages include, 11.4 points, 1.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, on 45.8 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from beyond the arc. He has his best season in 2024-25, where he averaged 18.0 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, on 43.1% field-goal percentage and 39.5 percent from the 3-pt line, playing in all 38 games.

Chaz Lanier’s accomplishments;

Third Team All-American (2025)
Jerry West Award (2025)
SEC Newcomer of the Year (2025)
First Team All-ASUN (2024)
Second Team All-SEC (2025)

Chaz Lanier’s Draft Projection

Chaz Lanier is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but there are also sources that suggest that Lanier could be picked in the late-first round. According to the latest mock draft, Lanier could be picked by the San Antonio Spurs as the 38th overall pick.

2025 NBA Draft

Chaz Lanier

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.