Chaz Harrison Lanier (b. December 19, 2001) is a shooting guard for the University of Tennessee, after spending four seasons at North Florida. Listed at 6 ft 5 in with a 6 ft 9 in wingspan and 207 lb frame
Lanier had a breakout junior/senior year: 19.7 PPG (2023–24 at UNF) and 18 PPG at Tennessee in 2024–25. He shot ~39.5% from three on high volume, scored 123 total threes (breaking Chris Lofton’s program record), and earned All‑SEC honors, Third‑Team All‑American nods, and the prestigious Jerry West Award as top shooting guard
Combine metrics: 6’3¾″ height, 205.8 lb, excellent standing vertical jump, elite spot-up and free-throw accuracy, top-3 three-point shooting from key areas .
Draft stock: ESPN rankings place him around 38–42 overall; mocks project mid‑second‑round, around 40–42 ovr, with teams like Washington and Golden State in play .
The user’s mention—“ESPN predicts … will join a rising young team with upside”—suggests a matchup between Lanier and an ascending NBA franchise. While no direct ESPN quote exactly matches, it’s consistent with interpretations in ESPN coverage and mocks that place him as a second-round pick destined for a contending team seeking shooting depth.
Examples:
- Golden State Warriors: project to pick ~41 and would value floor spacing.
- Washington Wizards: ~40, in a rebuilding-plus-young-upside phase.
Thus, the comment likely stems from ESPN analysts envisioning Lanier as a provider of elite shooting for teams on the rise.
Elite Shooting Specialist
- Volume & Efficiency: 39.5%+ from three on high volume; breaks defender’s spirit
- Movement Off the Ball: High PPP metrics on cuts, spot-ups, off-screen actions; elite off-ball threat (
- Wingspan/Burst: 6’9” wingspan gives him length to contest and rebound; compact 207 lb frame helps absorb contact
- Nearly 24 at draft, with five years of college experience; seen as polished, tough, and pro-ready (si.com).
- As a “3-and-D” or catch-and-shoot specialist, fits perfectly as a spacing weapon alongside creators, bringing immediate offensive lift to rotations (
- Averaged ~1–2 assists; struggles as pick-and-roll ball-handler; tunnel-vision tendencieNBA role likely as secondary creator, reliant on others to initiate.
- Below-average rim closeouts, gets lost on screens; non-impactful defensivelyAt pro level, must learn schemes and become a reliable off-ball defender.
- Not a fast-break finisher; lacks explosion; contested efficiency dips ).
- Ceiling viewed as a refined shooter, not high-upside star.
A snapshot:
Consensus: late-first to mid-second round; teams with young cores and spacing needs (Warriors, Wizards, Suns, Magic) in play.
Who fits ESPN’s “rising young team with upside”? Candidates include:
- Golden State Warriors: Rebuilding post-GS Minicore with Curry/Thompson? Lanier provides shooting as they retool.
- Washington Wizards: Young backcourt (Beal gone?), lottery picks, in rebuild/upside phase.
- Phoenix Suns: Adding shooters around Booker & Beal; Phoenix needs floor spacing.
- Orlando Magic: Young core, extremely weak shooter—Lanier could help offensively.
Teams like Milwaukee Bucks (rumored interest at #47) see him as bench spacing option
- Instant contributor: catch-and-shoot specialist; efficient pull-up scoring; off-ball cuts shape his role.
- Needs system learning; can guard rotationally if effort is consistent.
Roster Role
- Reserve 3-and-D guard: Sneaker role where spacing and shooting beat out creation.
- Under ball-handler duo, he’d excel spotting up, moving off screens, and bathing teammates in excellent shooting action.
ESPN framing usually suggests a player who fills a need for teams not yet contending but trending upward—mirroring Lanier’s mold: a polished, role-casting shooter for growing rosters. He isn’t seen as franchise-altering, but as a reliable asset that can accelerate a team’s progression.
Analysts often praise his shooting but caution against his lack of playmaking and defensive impact—solidifying his fit as a floor spacer, not core star.
- Short-Term: Bench specialist; likely second-unit 3-and-D.
- Medium-Term: Could carve rotational role; improve weak-side defense; deepen offense.
- Upside Ceiling: Limited due to age and lack of creation; but secure role player value.
ESPN’s projection that Lanier “will join a rising young team with upside” is well-founded. His elite shooting, off-ball savvy, physical readiness, and maturity all align with teams that need spacing around growth-focused cores. While his tools are specialized—not versatile—his floor as a shooting wing is high.
He’ll likely come off the board in the early-to-mid second round, slotting into a contending-leaning but not championship-ready roster, providing scoring boost and spacing. If he can develop defense and playmaking, he’ll stick; if not, he’ll remain a high-end bench sniper.
Final Take: ESPN’s call is spot-on. Lanier is a prototypical “rising young team” bench piece—dialed-in shooter, low-risk, high-reward in role, ready to contribute from Day 1 in a growing rotation. Teams like Golden State, Washington, Phoenix, Orlando, and Milwaukee fit this model—each offering both upside and need.
If you’d like to dive into specific team scenarios, playing style usage, or Lanier’s college film breakdown, just say the word—I’d be happy to keep going!
