The Tennessee Volunteers landed a dedication from former North Florida guard and Nashville native Chaz Lanier, he introduced Friday.
Lanier selected the Vols over Kentucky and BYU after not too long ago visiting all three faculties.
Lanier, a first-team All-ASUN choice with averages of 19.7 factors and 4.8 rebounds per sport whereas making 106 3-pointers on 44 p.c, is the Vols’ fourth switch portal addition together with heart Igor Milicic Jr., (Charlotte), heart Felix Okpara (Ohio State) and ahead Darlingstone Dubar (Hofstra).
After receiving suggestions eventually week’s NBA G-League Elite Camp in Chicago, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard will withdraw his title from the 2024 NBA Draft.
NEWS: Chaz Lanier will switch to Tennessee
Lanier was 1st crew A-Solar with averages 19.7 factors and 4.8 rebounds per sport final season at North Florida @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/Rapx55tBlj
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) Could 24, 2024
Count on Tennessee to make use of the elite shooter equally to potential NBA lottery decide Dalton Knecht who led the Vols to an SEC regular-season title and Elite Eight look.
In accordance with Synergy Basketball, Lanier was essentially the most environment friendly offensive participant within the nation with 19.7 factors per sport on 16.3 possessions (1.20 factors per possession).
He shot 51 p.c from the sphere, led the ASUN in scoring and scored 629 factors this season, turning into solely the second participant in program historical past to attain greater than 600 factors in a season. With Lanier within the fold, Tennessee has a robust likelihood to win the SEC once more and make one other deep event run.
What’s subsequent for Kentucky?
Lanier to Tennessee shouldn’t be solely a giant win for the Vols but in addition a loss for Kentucky and new coach Mark Pope. Lanier visited BYU, Kentucky and Tennessee on consecutive days not too long ago. The Wildcats have executed fairly properly within the portal, however they should end their roster with a proficient wing scorer and made a serious push for Lanier to fill that position.
Lanier would’ve additionally made UK arguably essentially the most harmful 3-point capturing crew within the nation. The Cats have already got Kobe Brea (49.8 p.c from 3 final season), Kerr Kriisa (42.4 p.c), Ansley Almonor (39.4 p.c) and Andrew Carr (37.1 p.c).
Lanier, who shot 44 p.c from deep on 7.5 makes an attempt per sport final season, would’ve given Kentucky a humiliation of riches from past the arc – enjoying in Pope’s offense, which ranked No. 2 nationally in 3-point makes an attempt final season at BYU.
So what now for Pope and the Cats?
They wait to see if Jaxson Robison, the Massive 12 Sixth Man of the Yr final season enjoying for Pope at BYU, pulls out of the NBA draft earlier than the Could 29 deadline. If he does, Kentucky could be in nice place to land the 6-foot-7 wing who averaged 14.2 factors and shot 35 p.c from 3 for the Cougars final season.
If Robinson stays within the draft – or picks one other college – the Wildcats would possible push for a dedication and reclassification from five-star 2025 recruit Will Riley.
Riley, a 6-foot-8 wing who’s averaging 21.4 factors, 3.9 rebounds and a couple of.6 assists on the Nike grassroots circuit this spring, has expressed severe curiosity in Kentucky and plans to go to campus in June. He additionally has not shot down rampant hypothesis that he’ll transfer as much as the 2024 class and play faculty basketball this fall.
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(Photograph: Icon Sportswire / Getty Pictures)
