Coach Mark Pope has a couple of open roster spots for the 2024-25 season remaining, and is hoping to add a big-time perimeter scorer. The Wildcats staff was hoping guard Chaz Lanier would be that guy, but on Saturday, he announced he would be committing to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Lanier is from Tennessee, so it’s no surprise that he wound up there, but Pope and his staff were hoping to lure him just a little further north. The former North Florida guard was also being recruited by BYU.
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Last season, Lanier averaged 19.7 points per game and shot 44% from three-point range. Pope’s offense would have been a nice fit for those kinds of numbers.
Now, Kentucky will move on to other options. Jaxson Robinson is one possibility if he returns to college. He has the added bonus of being experienced in Pope’s offense. Former Miami guard Wooga Poplar is in a similar situation. He’s a terrific shooter as well. Outside of those two, there are still some quality players in the portal.
Kentucky fans, and likely coaches, may be disappointed to miss out on Lanier, but they’ll keep working hard. All eyes will be on Pope to see what’s next.