The Tennessee Volunteers' chances in March Madness hinge partly to the production of touted scoring guard Chaz Lanier. Teams are already taking notice of Lanier ahead of the NBA draft.
The latest NBA mock draft projections largely have Lanier as a second-round pick. Yet, a strong March Madness performance could have Lanier emerge as part of the first-round conversation.
Heading into the SEC title game, Lanier is averaging 17.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1 assist per game while shooting 40.4% from long range in 33 starts.
One NBA team in the market for a scoring guard is the Sacramento Kings after trading De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs at the mid-season mark.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo's latest NBA mock draft released on March 13 has the Kings selecting Lanier in the second round with the No. 40 overall pick. The 6-foot-4 guard is a bit of an older NBA draft prospect at 23 years old.
Chaz Lanier has proven himself a surefire All-American and potential NBA draft pick at Tennessee - impressing teams with his sharpshooting, persistence, and toughness as the key catalyst for a top 5 team in CBB. https://t.co/orslKBFfaypic.twitter.com/23JomFP5UB
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) February 25, 2025
Sacramento could look to pair Lanier with Zach LaVine. The two-time All-Star's five-year, $215 million contract is slated to go through the 2026-27 season.
"Tennessee's Chaz Lanier is one of the best shooters/scorers in college basketball, making 48% of his 3s this season," Givony reported in a Dec. 10, message on X. "Ton of NBA executives at Madison Square Garden to see him and the entire Jimmy V Classic field."
I think it's time we start having some serious conversations about Chaz Lanier as not just an NBA prospect but potentially a late first round to early second round pick. He's a certified sniper from behind the arc shooting 46.7% from 3 on 8.6 attempts per game and has also been… pic.twitter.com/39ufia9cyl
— Hutson Boggs (@hutson_boggs) January 5, 2025
A deep NCAA Tournament run could not only help the Vols but boost Lanier's NBA draft stock.
Related: What Auburn's Bruce Pearl Said About Tennessee Basketball Ahead of March Madness
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This story was originally published March 16, 2025 at 12:14 PM.