Lanier took official visits to all three of his finalists. He visited BYU last Sunday before visiting Kentucky on Monday and Tennessee on Tuesday. Lanier is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 11 overall transfer in this year’s cycle and as the No. 3 overall shooting guard.

The North Florida star is the fourth addition for the Vols from the transfer portal, as he joins Hofstra wing Darlinstone Dubar, Ohio State center Felix Okpara and Charlotte forward Igor Milicic Jr., respectively.

“We are happy to welcome Chaz and his family to Rocky Top,” Rick Barnes said in a press release. “As soon as Chaz entered the transfer portal, we identified him as someone we would love to bring home to the Volunteer State. Our fan base will love his character, humility and work ethic, as well as his strong basketball IQ. He has already proven to be one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball and we feel his ability to put the ball in the basket from all over the floor will translate well to the SEC.

“Chaz has a desire to help us win another SEC championship, as well as contend for a national title. It is clear his goals and mindset blend well with the rest of the guys in our program and this is an excellent fit. Chaz’s excitement about the opportunity to return to a state he loves so much was evident to us and we know Vol Nation will embrace him from day one.”

Lanier declared for the 2024 NBA Draft on March 16 and was going through the draft process prior to his decision. He declared while maintaining his final year of eligibility before entering the transfer portal on April 24.

Lanier broke out this past season, earning First Team All-ASUN honors after leading the conference in points per game during conference play at 24.5 points. He scored 629 points during the season to become only the second North Florida player in program history to score more than 600 points.

The 6-foot-4 guard scored at least 20 points 15 different times, including 11 times in ASUN games, while also scoring 30 points in at least four games. Lanier scored a career-high 35 points against North Alabama. He was one of two players this season to win ASUN Player of the Week on three different occasions.

Lanier ranked fifth in the country in three-pointers (106) and ninth in three-point percentage at 44%, while also ranking top 20 in made field goals (214) and points. He led the ASUN in made three’s (56), free-throw percentage (90.5%) and minutes played (36.9 mpg), during conference games.

The mid-state native was a three-year varsity letterwinner at Ensworth High School in Nashville were he averaged 23 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists during final season with the Tigers when he was a finalist for Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball award.

Busy Offseason

Tennessee’s season came to an end on the final day in March when it lost to No. 1-seed Purdue, 72-66, in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. UT won its 11th SEC Championship this past season and advanced to the EliteCade Phillips and J.P. Estrella.