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Detroit Pisons select Chaz Lanier in 2025 NBA Draft
David Banks-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons have selected former Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Lanier transferred to Tennessee last offseason after spending four seasons at North Florida.

In his lone campaign with the Volunteers, Lanier started in all 38 of his appearances. He averaged 18.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, while shooting 43.1% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.

Lanier was instrumental in the Volunteers’ run to the Elite Eight. The 6-foot-4 standout averaged 20.8 points per game throughout Tennessee four NCAA Tournament games. He was particularly spectacular in Tennessee’s tournament-opening win over Wofford.

In the victory, Lanier exploded for 29 points on 6-13 shooting from range. For his efforts in the 2024-25 season, Lanier was named the SEC Newcomer of the Year and an All-SEC Second-Team selection.

Lanier’s elite offense this past season was no fluke. Lanier was a bonafide star at North Florida, averaging a career-high 19.7 points per game during the 2023-24 season. In turn, he was a 2024 First-Team All-ASUN selection.

Chaz Lanier played high school basketball at Ensworth (TN), where he was an unranked prospect in the 2020 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Alas, Lanier was named a finalist for Tennessee Division II-AA Mr. Basketball honors his senior year.

What NBA Draft experts are saying about Chaz Lanier

Experts believe Lanier’s success could continue at the next level. Ahead of the draft, On3’s James Fletcher III provided a complimentary analysis of Lanier’s game.

“Chaz Lanier made the leap to the top level of college basketball last season, bursting onto the scene with his offensive punch,” Fletcher wrote. “While his defensive impact is limited, he showed a willingness to compete throughout the year, adding to the value his offensive package provides. There is upside as a bench scorer and a floor as a shooter from the corner.”

Fletcher isn’t the only who expects Lanier to carve out a role at the next level. RotoWire.com had high praise for Lanier ahead of the draft.

“Defenders have to get in Lanier’s jersey to prevent him from shooting 3s,” the analysis read. “Lanier is not afraid to fire away on the move, flying off screens and launching up shots before his defender can turn the corner. The mid-range is in his arsenal as well, with some upside as a mid-post player against smaller opponents.”

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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