SNAPSHOT
A crafty shooting guard who showed a strong ability to hit the scoreboard throughout his collegiate career, Chaz Lanier could be an inspired choice for an NBA side in the second round of the 2025 Draft in Chicago, having impressed in recent years.
Although he is undersized for his position and he can be leaky on the defensive end at times, Lanier adds great value as a knockdown shooter and could make a team much more dangerous from behind the arc whenever he is on the floor.
DRAFT PROFILE
Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, Lanier played junior basketball at The Ensworth School, and emerged as a collegiate candidate thanks to his crafty offensive game that certainly caught the attention of scouts around the country.
He signed with the North Florida Ospreys when joining the NCAAM, and spent much of his time there as a backup guard, developing his game over the years. However, he broke out in his senior campaign, averaging 19.7 points per game in a standout showing for the Ospreys.
At the conclusion of that campaign, he joined the transfer portal, and signed with the Tennessee Volunteers as a super senior in a return to his home state. On that squad, he emerged as the leading scorer and put himself on draft radars in the process.
Throughout the 2024/25 season, he averaged 18 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks per game, while shooting 43.1 per cent from the field, 39.5 per cent from three-point land and 75.8 per cent from the free throw line.
STRENGTHS
+ Shooting
+ Ability to impact on low usage
+ Can create his own shot
+ Scoring ceiling
IMPROVEMENTS
- Size
- Defence
Lanier is one of the better shooters in his draft class, looking steady with ball in hand and making the most of a strong shooting mechanic. His range is impressive, allowing him to take shots a foot or two back from the three-point line and open up his shot selection.
In a huge plus for NBA sides, the guard is more than capable of making an impact without needing too much of the ball, meaning he can pair well with a high-usage point guard. He knows what spots to be in and is slippery enough to lose his defender when looking to get open.
If its late in the shot clock, Lanier's ability to get to a shot he likes is a huge positive, and often bailed out his team in the NCAA in these exact scenarios. He can make tough shots look extremely easy and is rarely fazed by the defensive pressure he faces.
At just six-foot-four, he does give up a bit of height at the shooting guard position, especially in the modern game, and does not have the playmaking ability to shift over to the one, so he will need to play above his height at times in the NBA.
DRAFT PROJECTION: Second round
Lanier is an elite shooter who certainly has a role at the top level with his perimeter presence at the shooting guard position. If he can add a driving game and some playmaking to his repertoire, it will certainly make him more impactful at NBA level.
