### North Florida Transfer Chaz Lanier Joins Tennessee Basketball
Chaz Lanier, a transfer guard from North Florida, has committed to Tennessee basketball, making him the fourth player to join the Vols via the transfer portal. Lanier chose Tennessee over Kentucky and BYU, announcing his decision on social media.
Lanier visited all three finalist schools, with stops at BYU on Sunday, Kentucky on Monday, and Tennessee on Tuesday. Ranked as the No. 11 overall transfer and the No. 3 shooting guard by 247Sports, Lanier adds significant talent to the Vols’ roster.
Joining Lanier as new additions to Tennessee are Hofstra wing Darlinstone Dubar, Ohio State center Felix Okpara, and Charlotte forward Igor Milicic Jr.
Lanier had declared for the 2024 NBA Draft on March 16 but maintained his college eligibility before entering the transfer portal on April 24. This past season, he earned First Team All-ASUN honors, leading the conference with 24.5 points per game during conference play and scoring 629 points overall, a milestone achieved by only one other player in North Florida’s history.
The 6-foot-4 guard had an impressive season, scoring at least 20 points in 15 games and 30 points in four games, with a career-high of 35 points against North Alabama. He was one of two players to be named ASUN Player of the Week three times in the season.
Nationally, Lanier ranked fifth in three-pointers made (106) and ninth in three-point percentage (44%). He also ranked in the top 20 for made field goals (214) and points. In ASUN conference games, he led in made three-pointers (56), free-throw percentage (90.5%), and minutes played (36.9 mpg).
A Nashville native, Lanier was a standout at Ensworth High School, averaging 23 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his final season and being a finalist for Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball award.
### Busy Offseason for Tennessee
Tennessee’s season concluded with a loss to No. 1-seed Purdue, 72-66, in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Vols, who won their 11th SEC Championship, will have a revamped roster next season under Rick Barnes.
This offseason saw four players transfer: Jonas Aidoo (Arkansas), Tobe Awaka (Arizona), Freddie Dilione V (Penn State), and DJ Jefferson (Longwood). Additionally, breakout star Dalton Knecht is heading to the NBA, and long-time guards Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James have exhausted their eligibility.
Expected to return next season are guards Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, Jordan Gainey, and Cameron Carr, along with forwards Cade Phillips and J.P. Estrella.
