Offense Chaz Lanier has established himself as one of college basketball's elite perimeter shooters, thriving primarily as a dynamic off-ball weapon. Lanier’s greatest offensive asset is his lethal three-point shooting, characterized by excellent mechanics, consistent footwork, and a lightning-fast, high release that makes contesting his shots difficult. At Tennessee, Lanier has embraced this role fully, averaging 18 points per game on a highly efficient 39.5 percent from deep with significant volume. His success as a catch-and-shoot player is particularly impressive, converting 40.5 percent on 242 attempts in these scenarios, demonstrating consistent reliability as a spot-up threat. Lanier excels at operating off screens, curls, and dribble handoffs, showcasing elite comfort and precision in movement shooting actions. He has the ability to quickly square up to the basket, elevating into his jumper with little wasted motion. His mid-range game complements his perimeter skills effectively, as he smoothly transitions into one or two-dribble pull-ups, hitting tough contested jumpers at a respectable 38.5 percent clip from mid-range. Tennessee consistently utilizes Lanier around elbow curls and pin-down actions, further highlighting his strengths as an off-ball scorer. However, despite his perimeter excellence, Lanier faces significant limitations as an interior scorer. At just under 6’4” without elite athleticism, he struggles finishing at the rim, evidenced by converting only 50 percent of his restricted-area attempts. His burst and handle deficiencies prevent him from consistently beating defenders off the dribble or absorbing contact effectively. Most of his interior attempts occur with defenders closely contesting or trailing him, limiting his efficiency in traffic. Lanier's role as a playmaker and facilitator is minimal and simplistic. Averaging only 1.1 assists, he’s not relied upon for advanced reads or creative passing. When he passes, it tends to be straightforward or reactionary, without much nuance or manipulation of defensive coverages. His ball-handling limitations further restrict his upside as an on-ball creator, particularly against high-level athletes capable of sticking to his hip. Defense Defensively, Lanier profiles as adequate but unspectacular. His physical tools: solid strength, a sturdy frame, and impressive wingspan, provide him a foundation to be competent, especially against similarly-sized perimeter players. He shows a willingness to stay engaged on-ball, using strength effectively to absorb initial contact and maintain defensive positioning. His lateral quickness is sufficient, allowing him to navigate screens reasonably well, though he often stands too upright in his stance, making him susceptible to quicker guards who can leverage lower drives past him. Off-ball, Lanier is fairly fundamentally sound but lacks elite instincts. He maintains solid positioning and is typically aware of his man and help responsibilities, capable of timely rotations or stunts to deter drives. However, he doesn’t produce significant disruptive defensive plays, as indicated by modest steal (1.3 per game) and negligible block numbers. He rarely anticipates or jumps passing lanes aggressively and isn’t a notable weak-side rim protector. Lanier’s defensive ceiling is ultimately constrained by his average athleticism and lack of positional versatility. While he's functional within a well-structured defensive scheme, he struggles significantly when switched onto bigger players in post-ups or quicker, more explosive athletes in isolation. Maintaining consistent intensity and improving stance discipline will be crucial to his NBA defensive viability. Looking Ahead Lanier enters the draft as an intriguing second-round prospect, buoyed primarily by his exceptional off-ball scoring and perimeter shooting. His ability to quickly integrate as a specialist shooter, operating in off-screen and spot-up situations, will immediately appeal to NBA teams looking for spacing and scoring punch off the bench. However, questions persist about his overall upside given limited playmaking skills, average defensive impact, and struggles as an interior finisher. His path to a significant NBA role will depend heavily on his continued shooting consistency and ability to develop connective passing and improved defensive discipline. In the right NBA environment, one that emphasizes spacing, ball movement, and structured defensive rotations, Lanier could quickly carve out a stable role similar to established NBA shooting specialists like Malik Beasley. While the ceiling may be modest, Lanier’s proven shooting proficiency and reliable off-ball scoring skills provide a clearly defined pathway to contributing positively at the next level.