Former North Florida guard Chaz Lanier is a player that Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope has been working hard to lure to Lexington. It seems as if that work is paying off, as Lanier is reportedly down to two schools: the Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Last season, Lanier developed into a scoring machine, averaging 19.7 points per game. He also had 4.8 rebounds and nearly two assists per contest and made 44% of his three-pointers.
Lanier is from the state of Tennessee, which may give the Vols an advantage, but the fit at Kentucky might be better. Pope is certainly looking for a perimeter scorer, and Lanier fits that bill.
The NBA draft does still remain a possibility for Lanier, who entered his name for it, but he didn’t receive a Combine invite, which might make a return to college a better move for him.
Lanier is ranked as one the top ten transfer players in the country by 247sports. He would be a great addition to any team, and Big Blue Nation hopes that team resides in Lexington.