The video above captures the electrifying moment when Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier heard his name called in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons with the 37th overall pick. It’s a powerful culmination of a long, winding journey—from Nashville to North Florida, from a breakout collegiate career, and finally to stepping onto basketball’s biggest stage. Below is a detailed, in-depth exploration of his path, skills, draft night, and what lies ahead—in around
Chaz Harrison Lanier was born on December 19, 2001, in Nashville, Tennessee Raised in a basketball-centric family—both his parents played college ball, Dad at Lipscomb and Mom at Alcorn State—Lanier stepped onto the court almost as soon as he could walk. His formative years were spent at The Ensworth School, a prominent prep program in Nashville, where he became a standout guard known for his sharpshooting and quick release (
Despite his potential and consistent scoring, Lanier received limited high-major attention coming out of high school. That changed when North Florida saw an opportunity and offered him a scholarship—marking the beginning of a collegiate career that would redefine his basketball narrative.
Chaz enrolled at North Florida beginning in 2020. His freshman year involved sporadic minutes (about 9 minutes per game), primarily as a bench player But by his sophomore and junior seasons, Lanier’s progression was impressive: his field goal percentage improved, scoring rose to nearly 20 PPG, and by the 2023–24 season, he averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists—while shooting 44% from three
His senior season at North Florida didn’t go unnoticed. He led the Atlantic Sun First Team and topped charts in offensive efficiency, along with strong combine performance (NBA). In fact, at a pro day, he reportedly nailed 20 consecutive threes—a testament to both his skill and endurance. Scouts began to take serious notice of this rising sharpshooter with serious range.
In May 2024, Lanier entered the transfer portal—and the University of Tennessee, under Coach Rick Barnes, made the winning move. Moving to the SEC represented a major jump in competition, but Lanier adapted immediately.
He started all 38 games during the 2024–25 season, averaging 18 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and hitting 39.5% from deep on 8.2 attempts per game . His 123 MAKES from three broke Tennessee’s single-season record—surpassing Chris Lofton’s previous mark that had stood since 2007–08
The Volunteers reached the Elite Eight—just the third such run in program history—with Lanier contributing consistently high-scoring nights. His statement performances included a 29‑point effort in the NCAA tournament opener against Wofford and another 20‑point game against UCLA (
His accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed:
- Jerry West Award winner—nation’s top shooting guard
- SEC Newcomer of the Year
- First Team All‑SEC, NABC Third‑Team All‑American, and Wooden Award All‑American
This surge elevated him from an under-the-radar prospect to a nationally recognized talent worthy of NBA attention.
Following his season, Lanier declared for the NBA Draft. His Combine and workouts further enhanced his stock. A workout with the Brooklyn Nets earned positive reviews—he viewed himself as the best shooter in the draft
At the Combine, he excelled in shooting metrics:
- Top spot-up and free throw shooting
- 5th in lane agility
- 3rd in standing vertical
- 2nd in aggregate shooting, trailing only elite marksman Mark Sears (New York Post, Detroit Bad Boys, ClickOnDetroit).
Analysts placed him as a top option late in the first round or early second, citing concerns about age (23) and defense, but emphasizing his shooting and maturity (New York Post).
Comparisons to sharpshooters like Seth Curry, Alec Burks, or Marcus Sasser became common—Lanier being a floor-spacing wing who can fire off screens and shots quickly (Reddit). His length (6‑4 with a 6‑9 wingspan) offered defensive upside, even if still raw (Detroit Bad Boys).
5. Draft Night & Pistons Landing (≈400 words)
On June 26, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, draft night brought a crescendo moment: Lanier was picked No. 37 overall by the Detroit Pistons (Rocky Top Talk). The moment his name was announced, a wave of excitement swept through family and Tennessee fans—many cheering in Nashville as he heard the call .
Post-draft, Lanier made immediate headlines: “It was surreal,” he reflected, as he connected with Trajan Langdon, Pistons’ President of Basketball Ops (Rocky Top Insider). The Pistons had singled him out for his deep shooting and fit around Cade Cunningham
From Detroit’s perspective, adding floor spacing was a key offseason priority. Analysts pointed to his ability to shoot off the dribble (36% off the catch-and-shoot, 36% off the dribble) and his screen-based shooting as valuable in today’s NBA .
For Lanier, it meant the realization of a dream. He shared that he immediately thought of his family and backers, describing the event as “a blessing”
Fast-forward to July 8, 2025, Lanier stood before the Detroit media at the Pistons’ Performance Center, exuding confidence: “I can step in and play immediately.” (
He credited his Tennessee experience for preparing him for pro level speed, defensive understanding, and his offensive rhythm His maturity, he said, stems from his path—from low-major beginnings to national prominence—giving him a grounded mentality .
Lanier spoke of his excitement to soak up leadership from Cunningham and contribute to a young, hungry Detroit team . With Summer League debut set for July 11, he’s been immersed in team workouts, forging chemistry and preparing to carve out a role
Strengths
- Elite shooting: Career 40.2% from deep, quick release. Strong spot-up & off-dribble capabilities
- Shooting intelligence: Moves well off ball, thrives in PnR and catch-and-shoot systems .
- Length & physical profile: At 6‑4 with a 6‑9 wingspan, he has tools for defense and finishing .
- Maturity & journey: Age and experiences from NF‑U to Tennessee lend leadership and resilience
Development Needs
- Defense: While tools exist, instincts and consistency need polish .
- Ball-handling/playmaking: Primarily a spaceman; needs to build secondary skills to offset defensive limitations
- Athleticism: Good but not explosive—requires strategy and IQ to maximize impact .
Lanier arrives in Detroit as a role-player reserve, addressing critical spacing needs behind Cade Cunningham, with lineup flexibility to run alongside shooters like Caris LeVert or Duncan Robinson III
Expectations for 2025–26:
- Summer League debut (July 11)—a chance to make his mark early
- Rookie camp and training—working under Cunningham’s mentorship on defense, communication, and two-way IQ .
- Bench shooting spark—spot-up specialist off the pine, impacting games through efficiency and anticipation more than volume.
Over time, with growth in defense and handling, Lanier could expand from “catch-and-shoot specialist” into a 6th-man-type contributor, perhaps akin to Marcus Sasser or Alec Burks .
A best-case scenario? A rotation spot by midseason, pulling SEC-level shooting with consistent defensive improvement.
Chaz Lanier’s story is a testament to persistence: from overlooked prep scorer to Atlantic Sun star, SEC record-breaker, and now NBA Draft pick. That moment on draft night—immortalized in the video above—is more than a single frame; it symbolizes years of hard work, adaptation, and belief.
As he embarks on this next chapter in Detroit, the intrigue lies in whether his shooting can translate into a sustained pro role. If he can harness his maturity and physical assets to firm up defense and expand his game, he could become a notable bench weapon in the modern, spacing-driven NBA era.
