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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Dalton Knecht plays 31 minutes for Lakers against Celtics in NBA Summer League
Seven former Tennessee men's basketball players competed in the NBA Summer League on Thursday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Detroit defeated Miami, 108-88. Chaz Lanier started and played 26 minutes for the Pistons. He totaled five points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals. Lanier converted 2-of-10 field goal attempts and 1-of-6 three-point attempts. He was selected in the second round by Detroit with the No. 37 overall pick. Zakai Zeigler totaled 15 points and four assists in 11 minutes for Detroit. He converted 3-of-7 field goal attempts, 2-of-3 three-point attempts and 7-of-7 free throw attempts. Zeigler was signed by the Pistons as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NBA draft. Indiana defeated New York, 91-88. Josiah-Jordan James totaled three points, two rebounds, one steal and one block for the Pacers. He converted 1-of-5 field goal attempts and 1-for-3 three-point attempts. James signed with Indiana as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and played for the Indiana Mad Ants last season in the NBA G-League. Atlanta defeated Memphis, 92-88. Jahmai Mashack started and played 25 minutes for the Grizzlies. He recorded eight points, five rebounds, four assists and one block. Mashack was the final player selected in the 2025 NBA draft. Portland defeated Houston, 102-83. Kennedy Chandler started and played 34 minutes for the Rockets. He totaled 14 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Chandler was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft (No. 38 overall) by San Antonio, and traded to Memphis. He most recently played for the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn's NBA G-League affiliate. Boston defeated the Lakers, 87-78. Dalton Knecht started and played 31 minutes for Los Angeles. He totaled eight points, three rebounds, one steal and one block. Knecht, the 2024 SEC Player of the Year and SEC Newcomer of the Year, was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall). Toronto defeated Golden State, 81-69. Tyreke Key recorded one assist in six minutes for the Raptors. He converted 0-of-2 field goal attempts and 0-of-2 three-point attempts.
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dalton Knecht, Cooper Flagg by the numbers in Lakers-Mavericks NBA Summer League game
Former Vol Dalton Knecht competed in the NBA Summer League at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday. Dallas defeated Los Angeles, 87-85. Knecht started and played 26 minutes for the Lakers. He totaled 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Knecht converted 6-of-16 field goal attempts and 3-of-7 three-point attempts. 2025 NBA draft No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg made his debut with Dallas. He recorded 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block in 32 minutes. More: Former Vol scores nine points for Utah in NBA Summer League game Knecht was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by the Lakers. During his rookie season, he played 78 games, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.3 steals per game. Knecht was a transfer from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes. During his one season at Tennessee, he averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Knecht led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history. Knecht was named SEC Player of the Year, SEC Newcomer of the Year and won the Julius Erving Award. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dalton Knecht plays second game with Lakers in 2025 NBA Summer League
Former Vol Dalton Knecht competed in the NBA Summer League Sunday. Los Angeles defeated Miami, 103-83, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Knecht started and played 22 minutes for the Lakers. He totaled four points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Knecht converted 2-of-7 field goal attempts. He was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by the Lakers. During his rookie season, Knecht played 78 games, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.3 steals per game. More: Dalton Knecht by the numbers in 2025 NBA Summer League debut with Lakers He was a transfer from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes. During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history. Knecht was named SEC Player of the Year, SEC Newcomer of the Year and won the Julius Erving Award. Los Angeles will next play Tuesday versus San Antonio. Tipoff is slated for 10 p.m. EDT and ESPN will televise the contest. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee All-American Chaz Lanier: 'I'm a fierce competitor and I want to win'
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.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warriors add Tennessee sharpshooter in second round of latest Yahoo Sports NBA mock draft
While June marks the start of the NBA Finals, the new month on the calendar also brings the highly anticipated 2025 edition of the NBA Draft on June 25. Through most of draft season, most mock drafts have had the Golden State Warriors targeting a big man with their second-round selection. However, in the latest mock draft from Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor, the Warriors landed some shooting to add alongside Steph Curry in the backcourt. Advertisement With the No. 41 overall selection, O'Connor slotted Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier to the Warriors in the second round. According to O'Connor, Lanier thrived as a "knockdown shooter." Via Yahoo! Sports: The Warriors need more shooting, which explains everything about this pick. Lanier transferred to Tennessee after four years at North Florida and immediately thrived as a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. But without great size or playmaking at his age, he's a second-round prospect. Prior to transferring to Tennessee, Lanier spent four seasons at North Florida. After being named to the first-team All-ASUN, Lanier transferred to Tennessee to play under Rick Barnes in Knoxville. On his way to earning SEC Newcomer of the Year, Lanier averaged 18 points on 43.1% shooting from the field and 39.5% shooting from beyond the arc to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 31.4 minutes per game. Advertisement Lanier drilled five or more 3-pointers in nine different games for the Volunteers, including eight made triples in a 30-point performance against Texas A&M. The first round of the NBA draft is set to begin on Wednesday, June 25 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors add sharpshooter in second round of new NBA mock from Yahoo
