**Tennessee Fans Welcome Chaz Lanier to Campus for Official Visit**
Chaz Lanier, a highly sought-after basketball transfer from North Florida, received a warm welcome from Tennessee basketball fans during his official visit to Knoxville. On Monday night, fans made a special effort to show their enthusiasm by painting ‘The Rock’ on Tennessee’s campus with a message urging Lanier to “come home,” as he is originally from Nashville. The message, “Lanier 2 Rocky Top,” was featured prominently, and Lanier shared a photo of it on his Instagram story with the caption “Woah…”
Lanier, one of the most coveted players still available in the transfer portal, has been a top target for Tennessee in recent weeks. Prior to his visit to Knoxville, he made official visits to BYU over the weekend and Kentucky on Monday.
After entering the transfer portal on April 24 following four seasons at North Florida, Lanier, who played high school basketball at The Ensworth School in Nashville, has attracted significant attention. In his final high school season, he averaged 23 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, earning a finalist spot for Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball award.
Lanier declared for the 2024 NBA Draft on March 16 while retaining his final year of college eligibility. His breakout season at North Florida saw him earn First Team All-ASUN honors, leading the conference in scoring during league play with 24.5 points per game. He totaled 629 points for the season, becoming the second player in North Florida history to surpass 600 points in a single season.
The 6-foot-4 guard had 15 games with at least 20 points, including four games with 30 or more, and a career-high of 35 points against North Alabama. He was one of two players to win ASUN Player of the Week three times in a season. Lanier ranked fifth nationally in three-pointers made (106) and ninth in three-point percentage (44%), while also being in the top 20 for field goals made (214) and total points. He led the ASUN in made threes (56), free-throw percentage (90.5%), and minutes played (36.9 mpg) during conference games.
**Tennessee’s Busy Offseason**
Tennessee’s season concluded with a loss to No. 1 seed Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Vols celebrated their 11th SEC Championship this past season and made it to the Elite Eight for only the second time in program history.
The offseason has seen significant changes, with four players entering the transfer portal: junior forward Jonas Aidoo, sophomore forward Tobe Awaka, and redshirt freshmen guards Freddie Dilione V and DJ Jefferson. Awaka committed to Arizona, Dilione to Penn State, Jefferson to Longwood, and Aidoo to Arkansas.
Next season, Rick Barnes will lead a revamped team in his 10th year at Tennessee. The Vols will miss breakout star Dalton Knecht, who is heading to the NBA after winning SEC Player of the Year, as well as guards Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James, who have exhausted their eligibility after distinguished five-year careers.
Returning players are expected to include guards Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, Jordan Gainey, and Cameron Carr, along with forwards Cade Phillips and J.P. Estrella. Tennessee has also strengthened its roster by signing three players from the NCAA Transfer Portal: Ohio State center Felix Okpara, Hofstra wing Darlinstone Dubar, and Charlotte forward Igor Milicic Jr., as well as four-star high school guard Bishop Boswell.
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