Chaz Lanier has become the breakout star of Tennessee basketball’s transfer class this season. The former North Florida standout, ranked as the No. 10 player in the transfer portal, chose the Vols over heavyweights like Kentucky and BYU, and his decision is already paying off big time.
Despite early preseason hype cooling off, Lanier has proved to be a force on the court, arguably outshining any transfer in the SEC this season. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is currently second in the SEC with a remarkable 19.3 points per game, trailing only Texas’ Tre Johnson. His scoring is driven by his deadly perimeter shooting, which is exactly what Tennessee was hoping for when they brought him in.
Lanier has been lights out from beyond the arc, hitting an impressive 47% of his three-pointers this season. While he ranks 58th in the country in three-point percentage, his volume is what truly sets him apart. With 45 made triples on 95 attempts, he’s taking more threes than anyone in the top 100. Defenses have tried to adjust, but Lanier keeps finding ways to knock down shots from deep, even when the pressure’s on.
He’s also been clutch in big moments, like his seven made three-pointers in the first half of Tennessee’s Baha Mar Championship win over Baylor. In six games against Power Five opponents, Lanier has connected on 26 threes at an eye-popping 51% clip. His ability to perform in high-stakes games has solidified his role as one of the SEC’s premier playmakers.
On track to shatter records, Lanier is pacing towards a potential 116 three-pointers by the end of the regular season. If he keeps it up, he only needs three more in the postseason to break Chris Lofton’s legendary single-season three-point record. With a 47.3% shooting rate, Lanier’s three-point percentage is now second in Tennessee history, just behind Jon Higgins’ 48.6% from 2000-01.
Though some questioned whether Lanier could consistently score inside, he’s more than made up for it with his outside shooting. His 42.5% shooting inside the arc is a work in progress, but his ability to stretch defenses with his perimeter game is invaluable for Tennessee’s offense.
As of now, Lanier sits sixth in KenPom’s National Player of the Year rankings, an impressive feat considering his high usage and Tennessee’s reliance on him. With the Vols gearing up for SEC play, Lanier’s stellar performances have proven he’s not just a transfer success — he’s a game-changer.
Tennessee’s next challenge comes on New Year’s Eve against Norfolk State before entering SEC competition on January 4th against Arkansas. If Lanier continues this pace, the Vols could be looking at a very special season.
