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Tennessee's Chaz Lanier selected in second round of NBA Draft

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey06/27/25GrantRamey
Chaz Lanier, Tennessee Basketball | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) smiles during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Norfolk State held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Chaz Lanier was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft Thursday night, picked at No. 37 overall by the Detroit Pistons. He is the ninth Tennessee player selected in the NBA Draft during the Rick Barnes era.

Lanier in his one season at Tennessee averaged 18.0 points per game last season while shooting 43.1% from the field and 39.5% from the 3-point line. He made 123 3-pointers in 38 games, breaking the previous record of 118 held by Chris Lofton.

The Nashville native transferred to Tennessee from North Florida, picking the home-state Vols over Kentucky and BYU. He had a breakout senior year at North Florida in 2023-24, averaging 19.7 points per game and making 108 threes in 32 games, shooting a career-high 44.0% from the 3-point line.

Chaz Lanier was First Team All-SEC, SEC Newcomer of the Year with Vols

Lanier in April won the Jerry West Award, given annually to college basketball’s best shooting guard, and was also named third-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and The Sporting News. 

He was also named an All-American by the Wooden Award, was First Team All-SEC and won the SEC’s Newcomer of the Year award.

The majority of mock drafts entering the first round of the NBA Draft Wednesday night had Lanier projected between No. 37 and No. 40, while two outlets had him as a possible late first-round pick. ESPN had Lanier ranked No. 38 overall on its list of the top 100 prospects for the draft.

Tennessee’s NBA Draft history, picks during the Rick Barnes era

Last year Dalton Knecht became the eighth Tennessee player drafted during the Rick Barnes era and the highest selection at No. 17 overall to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Keon Johnson went at No. 21 overall to the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2021 NBA Draft, followed by Jaden Springer at No. 28 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. Julian Phillips was picked at No. 35 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2023 and Kennedy Chandler went at No. 38 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2022.

Tennessee had three players selected in the 2019 NBA Draft. Grant Williams went at No. 22 overall to the Boston Celtics, Admiral Schofield went at No. 42 overall to the Washington Wizards and Jordan Bone was No. 57 pick to the Detroit Pistons.

There have been 55 Tennessee players drafted dating back to 1948. There have been 12 Vols picked in the first round, with Barnes responsible for four.

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