Here’s your NEWSFLASH 🚨 with a deep dive into the Detroit Pistons’ Summer League moves—adding sharpshooter Chaz Lanier and floor general Zakai Zeigler, both standout guards from Tennessee—and why this reunion has big implications for Detroit, Rocky Top, and beyond.
- Chaz Lanier was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 37th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 27. A former North Florida transfer, Lanier flourished at Tennessee, establishing himself as one of the nation’s elite shooters. Detroit views him as a vital piece to bolster their perimeter game around Cade Cunningham. (michigansthumb.com)
- Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee’s all-time assists and steals leader, went undrafted. Despite that, the Pistons quickly added him to their Summer League roster. Zeigler averaged a stellar 13.6 PPG and 7.4 APG in his senior year and earned back-to-back SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. (rockytoptalk.com)
- At 6’4″ with a 6’9″ wingspan, Lanier averaged 18.0 PPG at Tennessee and knocked down 39.5% of his 3-pointers on around 8 attempts per game, setting the school record with 123 threes (chazlanier.com).
- His shooting and size make him an ideal wing piece for Detroit’s pace-and-space offense complementing Cunningham’s playmaking (michigansthumb.com).
- At 5’9″, Zeigler may be undersized, but his leadership, defense, and court vision more than compensate. He owns Tennessee’s all-time records for assists and steals, with a single-season assist high of 275 (rockytoptalk.com).
- He’s a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and averaged 13.6/7.4/1.9 (PPG/APG/SPG) in his final college season (si.com).
- Both players were Tennessee teammates last season, forming a backcourt pairing that became one of the most dynamic in college basketball. Their reconnect in Detroit’s Summer League brings immediate on-court chemistry (rockytoptalk.com).
- Their Summer League reunion takes place July 10–20 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas (si.com).
- Scoring & Shooting: University of Tennessee’s leader with 18.0 PPG and nearly 40% from deep; made 123 threes (michigansthumb.com).
- Accolades: Jerry West Award winner; First-team All-SEC; Third-team All-American; SEC Newcomer of the Year (michigansthumb.com).
- NBA Role: Expected to be a floor-spacer and wing depth. Comparisons drawn to sharpshooters like Seth Curry or Alec Burks (reddit.com).
- Playmaking & Defense: Tennessee’s all-time assist leader (747+) and steals leader; averaged 13.6 PPG, 7.4 APG, 1.9 SPG in senior year (rockytoptalk.com).
- Accolades: 2× SEC Defensive Player of the Year; 4× SEC All‑Defensive Team; Third-team All-American (en.wikipedia.org).
- Undrafted Value: Undersized but brings tenacity, leading-edge energy, and leadership. A Summer League invite could lead to a two-way or G-League contract (rockytoptalk.com).
- Built-in chemistry – No need to adjust to each other’s tendencies. That cohesion is rare on Summer League squads.
- Skill balance – Lanier’s shooting fills the spacing role. Zeigler adds hustle, defense, and playmaking.
- Strategic fit – Detroit is accumulating shooters and high-IQ players who fit their young core.
- Underdog narrative – Lanier lined up on draft night; Zeigler planned a summer battle to make the league.
- Lanier
- Can he consistently hit off-screen threes under NBA pace?
- How is his quick release in transition and off-ball movement?
- Will he also demonstrate defensive effort and rotate competently?
- Zeigler
- How does he manage pick-and-rolls and playmaking against pro-level pressure?
- Can he convert his court vision into real Summer League assists?
- Will his defensive intensity thrive in full-speed, rotational game situations?
- Together
- Do they run effective pick-and-rolls?
- Can they lead fast breaks and exhibit floor leadership?
- Does their synchronized play carry weight with coaches evaluating Summer League performances?
- Rocky Top fans are thrilled. SI heralded them as “beloved Tennessee basketball stars” bringing passion, grit, and clutch performance to Detroit (rockytoptalk.com, michigansthumb.com, si.com).
- Analysts applaud Detroit’s pick-and-add strategy: Lanier’s off-ball game earns B+ grades, while Zeigler is praised as a defense-and-effort catalyst .
- Reddit reactions are mixed. Some see Zeigler as an underdog worth rooting for:
- For Detroit: Solidifying a new core. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2019 (44–38, #6 East) and lost to the Knicks in Round 1 (si.com). Adding high-character depth aligns with their long-term strategy.
- For Tennessee: Continues their pipeline to the NBA. Lanier and Jahmai Mashack were drafted; Zeigler and Igor Milicic earned Summer League invites, highlighting Tennessee’s sustained program strength (rockytoptalk.com).
- Narrative value: A reunion story of sharpshooter + heart-and-soul guard—college chemistry translating to a pro launch.
- Career implications: A strong Summer League showing could lead to training camp invites, two-way contracts, or G-League assignments. Detroit’s backcourt depth could be shaped by these performances.
- July 10–20 – Chicago hosts NBA 2K25 Summer League. Watch for Lanier and Zeigler alongside other rookies (si.com).
- Late July–August – Standouts will earn training camp deals.
- October – Pistons finalize roster for the 2025–26 season. Strong Summer League showings could earn two-way or standard contracts.
Detroit is playing smart with their Summer League roster. They didn’t overreach in the draft after missing out on a first-rounder—they targeted fit and chemistry instead. Bringing in Lanier and Zeigler:
- Lanier supplies lethal shooting to space the floor around Cade Cunningham.
- Zeigler injects leadership, defensive tenacity, and playmaking.
- Together, they offer a ready-made backcourt that could fast-track impact.
- And their shared Tennessee history adds a compelling storyline heading into Vegas.
Fans, scouts, and analysts will be watching closely. Their performances could shape Detroit’s depth chart, launch professional careers, and reinforce Tennessee’s reputation as an NBA pipeline.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of their college stats, highlights from previous games, or a real-time update when Summer League begins
