Projected to be one of the top picks in the 2025 NBA draft, Chaz Lanier has been one of the hidden gems on the college basketball landscape. Averaging 18.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, along with 47.1% shots from beyond the arc, Lanier has led the Tennessee Volunteers to an undefeated 12-game winning streak this season.

Having a 6-foot-4 stance, the pro-ready guard follows in Dalton Knecht’s footsteps. Regarding his off-court success, Lanier boasts an NIL valuation of around $1.8 million. He ranks #23 in the NIL 100 and #3 on the College Basketball NIL list. Playing his fifth season this year in the NCAA, let’s explore some interesting facts about Chaz Lanier.

Meet Chaz Lanier and his journey to becoming an outstanding guard

Coming from an athletic family, Lanier always felt that love for the game. “I’ve been playing [basketball] ever since I could walk. When I was super young I had the little goal I used to play on in my living room. Both of my parents played collegiate basketball—my dad at Lipscomb, my mother at Alcorn. It’s [basketball] just in my blood, man. I’ve been loving the game since I was little,” said Lanier.

This love was enough for him to get through high school, however, he did have a difficult time developing his game. Having a 6-foot-5 father and a 6-foot-6 brother, Lanier would always complain about his height. “When I was small, I was like ‘Why am I this small? I told my mom that I don’t think basketball is for me—I’m just being real,” he exclaimed.

However, his mother asked him to hold onto the game, “She was like ‘Honey, just stick with it. You love the game. It’s in your blood. Just stick with it.” Indeed, his mother’s advice turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Lanier’s height forced him to be a point guard and eventually develop the skills for it and sharpen them as he grew taller.

Simply put, Lanier turned out to be a late bloomer who played varsity basketball for three years, however, he started playing regularly only in his senior season. He averaged 22.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting with a field goal percentage of 56.9% and 45.3% from beyond the arc.

For two years in a row, he served as the team’s captain and led it to the state quarterfinals. He was named one of the finalists for Tennessee Division II-AA Mr. Basketball honors. Besides he was designated with the Tennessean First Team All-Midstate alongside DII-AA First Team All-State accolades from the TSWA and The Tennessean.

However, before he arrived in North Florida, he had a slow recruitment process.

When Lanier dealt with a slow recruitment

After his senior year, Lanier was offered scholarships from Campbell and North Florida. However, his recruiting process was a slow ride as he had only one offer at the start of his senior year, that too from a D-II Alabama-Huntsville. It was then in mid-March when he committed to North Florida over Campbell for two reasons.

“I ended up rolling with North Florida because of the culture down there [Jacksonville, Florida] and the program. Plus, it’s Florida. I’m from Nashville [Tennessee] so, why not go to Florida? I don’t regret it at all. I had a great experience down there,” he reasoned. But there was another hurdle in his way waiting for him. Due to his slow recruitment, Chaz didn’t have guaranteed playing time or a bigger role on the team. Hence, he had to work his way up to earn his position.

As a freshman, he played in only 10 games out of which he made one start, that too against NC State where he scored 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 31 games, out of which he started 8 games. That season, he averaged 4.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Moreover, he shot 80.5 % from the free-throw line and ended up ranking third on the team.

In his second year as a sophomore, he played through all 31 games and had 9 starting nods. He averaged 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. He ranked second on the team for his 3-point percentage (39.1), fourth in field goal percentage (45.4), and fifth in 3-points made (27). Throughout the season, he made multiple assists and 3-pointers while grabbing 5+ rebounds in three games.

His junior year turned out to be his breakout season where he posted an average of 19.7 points (second in the league), 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. That season, he started 31 out of all 32 games and scored in double figures in almost every game.

He posted a career-best 35 points against North Alabama and posted his first 30-point game against Charleston Southern on the road. In every game, Chaz Lanier made at least 3 shots beyond the arc, while he missed a double-double at Queens where he scored 29 points and 9 rebounds.

Emerging as a trailblazing talent, Lanier earned several accolades including ASUN First Team All-Conference, NABC First Team All-District, CGC Academic All-District, and ASUN All-Academic Team honors.

Thereafter, he transferred to Tennessee to play as a fifth-year senior. With 12 games into the season, Lanier has already registered 5 20+ point games and 6 10+ point games. Now, the season is about to go into its third month, Lanier has yet to unfold his game as he is on his way to becoming one of the best student-athletes to go into the NBA draft next year.