Tennessee All-American Chaz Lanier: 'I'm a fierce competitor and I want to win'

USA Today

19-06-2025

Tennessee All-American Chaz Lanier: 'I'm a fierce competitor and I want to win'
Fresh off a decorated fifth season at the collegiate level, Chaz Lanier is on the verge of hearing his name called in the 2025 NBA draft on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York.
Lanier started at the University of North Florida after receiving only two scholarship offers out of The Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee. He played primarily in the second unit over his first three years for coach Matthew Driscoll before becoming a full-time starter as a senior.
The 6-foot-5 guard responded by averaging a career-high 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 44% shooting from 3-point range. He was an All-ASUN first-team selection, ranking fifth in the country in 3-point percentage and 19th in total 3s (106).
Lanier entered the transfer portal following the season with one year of eligibility remaining. He was considered one of the top available players and ultimately decided to return to his home state over programs like BYU and Kentucky, among others.
The 23-year-old led the Volunteers to the Elite Eight, averaging 18 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 39.5% shooting from 3-point range in 38 appearances. He was a third-team All-American and an All-SEC second-team selection.
Lanier ranked 15th in the country in points (684) and fourth in 3-pointers, setting the program record for a single season (123). He finished in double figures 36 times with the Volunteers, becoming the third player in the SEC over the last 20 years to accomplish that feat.
Following the season, Lanier participated in the draft combine in Chicago, Illinois. He was tied for the seventh-highest max vertical jump (39 inches) and converted 77.6% combined in the spot-up, 3-point star and side shooting drills.
The SEC Newcomer of the Year is considered a possible late first-round pick because of his ability as a high-level floor spacer and defender, boasting a 6-foot, 9-inch wingspan. He is expected to have worked out with at least 10 teams, including Boston, Brooklyn and Detroit.
Rookie Wire caught up with Lanier on Wednesday to discuss his college career, winning the Jerry West Award with the Volunteers, preparing for the 2025 NBA draft and more.
Note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
How has everything been going for you since your season ended?
CL: The draft process has been going great. I've just been getting better every day. Going to work out with teams and competing has been a blast. Being able to meet people and talk to GMs and assistant GMs and make the connections has been really fun. It has just been a blessing, all in all.
I'm really just trying to get better each and every day, sharpening up the things I do well: shooting, putting the ball in the basket, while also trying to get better on my defense, being a little bit more disruptive on the ball, making plays on the defensive end. I'm just really sharpening up my game all around.
You had two Division I offers out of high school. What was the adjustment like going to North Florida, and how did the program prepare you for your collegiate career?
CL: Coming out of high school, the pace was much faster. Coming to college, guys were much more physical and stronger. I had to really adjust to that play style of college basketball, but North Florida really prepared me for the University of Tennessee and what is to come, just being able to make plays on the offensive end, make the right reads for me and my teammates and play basketball the right way.
What was your reaction to Coach Driscoll stepping down as head coach after 16 years?
CL: He had a terrific career at the University of North Florida. He poured into so many people down in the City of Jacksonville and all throughout the basketball community. He is super well-loved and respected. He has had a great career, so I'm super proud of him and how much he poured into me and everybody he impacts daily. I'm just happy and excited to see his next steps.
You transfer to Tennessee after four years at North Florida. As a Tennessee native, was it a no-brainer for you to commit to the program?
CL: My decision to go to the University of Tennessee, a lot of things made sense: Coming back home and playing for my home state. My family would be able to make every game, which was big for me in my fifth year. My family was able to make a couple of games down at North Florida, but not every game. Being able to play for Hall of Fame coach Rick Barnes. A lot of kids don't get that opportunity, and I knew he would push me and challenge me, which I needed and desired to be challenged on the offensive end and defensive end. That was one of the big things for me throughout the portal. I really wanted to get better on defense, and I knew he would challenge me. Also, just stepping into a program that has a family culture where it is really and truly a brotherhood, and the guys love each other. The program is really much bigger than you. It is not about you.
How gratifying was it to have the success you did at Tennessee?
CL: I mean, it is truly a great feeling to be named an All-American, and to come home and play for your home state. It was almost like a dream. I'm just super blessed to have the opportunity to go to the University of Tennessee and play in front of the Volunteers. It was all a blessing.
What did it mean to you to win the Jerry West Award?
CL: It means a lot, for sure, to win the best shooting guard in the nation award. I mean, just thinking back a few years ago, I never would have thought I'd be even in the running for something so big and important. To be able to have that under my belt and to be in history now as a Jerry West Award winner means a lot, and to be the first winner after he passed away also means a lot to me. It is just a blessing.
How quickly did it take for you to feel how passionate Volunteers fans are?
CL: The University of Tennessee means a lot. To put on that Power T jersey means a lot, and I take a lot of pride in it. I know the people in the City of Knoxville and the state of Tennessee take a lot of pride in it. I felt it during our first exhibition game versus Indiana. That was my first game stepping onto the Food City Center court. I could just feel the love. When I checked into the game, it was loud. It was a great feeling. They showed me a lot of love and support throughout my whole year there, and I love them for life. I'm a Volunteer for life now, and I love it.
How do you think playing for Tennessee in the SEC helped prepare you to make the jump to the NBA?
CL: I feel like the SEC was definitely the toughest conference in the country, so being able to go up against high-level dudes, night in and night out, was big for me. I feel like I made a great case for myself and put on a good showing throughout the season. I feel like every night was an Elite Eight game, so when you're playing high-level games like that, it really prepares you for the next level.
How would you describe your game to someone who hasn't seen you play?
CL: I'd say I'm a high-level shooter and playmaker who is able to put the ball in the basket in numerous ways. I can finish above the rim. I specialize in shooting behind the arc, but I'm a player who brings it on both ends of the floor and is a great teammate.
You established yourself as one of the top shooters in the country. How much work did it require to reach that level?
CL: To be a high-level shooter, you have to have an immense amount of focus and consistency, which I take pride in. Going to the gym every day, making sure you're getting your shots up, making sure you're being prepared when you're catching the balls, shooting the ball and doing the same exact movements every shot. I've worked at this my whole life, and I take a lot of pride in shooting. In college, I definitely worked on extending my range. This past year, I worked with my assistant coach, Coach Rod (Clark). When I first got there, we were working on my range and shooting a little bit deeper and shooting in transition, which I feel like got much better this past season. I take a lot of pride in shooting, and I love it.
Where do you think you rank among the top shooters in the draft?
CL: This draft is surrounded by a great number of shooters, so it is a blessing to be even mentioned in these conversations. But I feel like I'm at the top with the best of the best with movement shooting and spot-up shooting, because this is what I do.
What are you trying to show teams in your workouts, and what do you want teams to know about you?
CL: I'm just looking to show people that I'm a dog, I'm a fierce competitor and I want to win. A lot of teams already know a lot about you, so just going out there and showing them how good of a person I am and how I can contribute to an organization and really impact now. I'm just a super selfless guy who wants to be a part of winning. I'm a fierce competitor who will pour into the organization and into his teammates. But I'm a guy who really wants to win.