The 2025 NBA Draft in Brooklyn promised fireworks for Tennessee’s dynamic senior guard Chaz Lanier. Yet when the dust settled on the first draft night, Lanier’s name remained uncalled through 30 picks. The outcome stunned Tennessee Volunteers fans and draft analysts alike, who were left wondering, how did a player once projected late in Round 1, slide into the evening’s second half?
The Nashville native’s pre-draft workout circuit showcased his most lethal weapon, his shooting. At the NBA Combine, Lanier finished second overall in aggregate shooting drills, reaffirming a reputation built on 229 made three-pointers over the last two seasons. He also ranked among the top free-throw shooters, a comforting sign for teams craving floor spacing.
And yet, while shooting is a premium skill, franchises weigh it alongside defensive versatility and youth, leaving room for scrutiny even of standout marksmen.
Unpacking Chaz Lanier’s Unexpected Slide in the 2025 NBA Draft
NBA evaluators pointed to a combination of factors. The chief among them was Lanier’s age, 23 at draft time, and perceived defensive limitations.
“Chaz Lanier finished second at the NBA combine in aggregate shooting, unsurprising based on his 229 made threes over the past two seasons. NBA teams that could use more offensive firepower will look past age and lack of versatility for such advanced shotmaking,” Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report noted.
Despite leading the Tennessee Volunteers in scoring and boasting elite shooting splits, teams opted instead for players deemed more versatile or possessing higher upside, such as Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel from Duke, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey from Rutgers, and VJ Edgecombe from Baylor, among others.
Where Chaz Lanier is projected to be selected in final NBA mock drafts.
ESPN: No. 37 (Detroit)
Bleacher Report: No. 30 (LAC)
The Athletic: No. 37 (Detroit)
CBS: No. 38 (San Antonio)
NBC: No. 38 (San Antonio)— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) June 25, 2025
At a position increasingly favoring switchable wings with playmaking prowess, Lanier’s role as a spot-up specialist raised questions about how his skills would translate against faster, more athletic guards in the professional league.
Lanier’s Impressive Collegiate Journey Before the Draft
The 2025 Jerry West Award honoree’s pre-draft ascent was nothing short of remarkable. At the University of North Florida, he averaged 19.7 points on 44.0% three-point shooting as a senior in the 2023-24 season and earned First-Team All-ASUN honors.
Lanier then transferred into coach Rick Barnes’s system at Tennessee in 2024. He scored a team-high 18 points and set a program record with 123 made three-pointers last season. He led the Volunteers to an 80–64 victory over the Gardner–Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs.
Despite those impressive credentials, mock drafts had oscillated around his status. Earlier on draft night, some insiders still slotted him at No. 30. However, trades and shifting board priorities ultimately left him unselected in Round 1.
An Eastern Conference executive quipped to The Athletic, “That damn guy can score. Lanier could go 28-30, somewhere in there. To me, he’s a pretty good player. So if I had a pick in those areas, he would be a guy I’d be looking at,” as reported by Volquest. Still, Lanier’s name didn’t make it to the first round.
why not
here’s every single one of Chaz Lanier’s record-setting 123 threes last season pic.twitter.com/k5i5L8OBun
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) April 10, 2025
Further compounding concerns was his playmaking and on-ball defense. Lanier averaged 18.0 points per game on 39.5% from three-point range at Tennessee. Still, scouts flagged limited vision and average lateral quickness.
Currently, Lanier is widely expected to hear his name early in Round 2, where teams covet sharpshooters to bolster depth. The Detroit Pistons, holding the No. 37 pick, have reportedly emerged as potential suitors, as predicted by Jonathan Givony. The second round of the 2025 NBA Draft will take place on Thursday, June 26.
