With training camp nearing, rookie Chaz Lanier is impressing the right people
As the Detroit Pistons ramp up basketball activities before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, the coaching staff is finally getting a chance to evaluate the roster from a broad perspective. Part of that process involves filling out the end of the bench as much of the team is returning, so identifying key role players or young athletes who could develop into high-level contributors is of paramount importance.
Among the group vying for one of those roles is rookie guard Chaz Lanier, who was drafted out of Tennessee with the 37th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Lanier spent four years at North Florida before transferring to Tennessee, and he blossomed into a 18-point per game player for the Volunteers.
In a recent media availability, Detroit’s President of Basketball Operations, Trajan Langdon, shared his thoughts on what enabled the Pistons to select Lanier early in the second round of the draft.
“We liked Chaz in the process,” Langdon said. “There were some different things we looked at to getting in the first round, late in the first round. The asks were pretty high I think, higher than any precedent in the past. So, we knew he was our guy if he got to our pick, and we were very fortunate to get him. [We] had him in for a workout, spent some time with him, got to do lunch. We interviewed him in Chicago, watched a lot of film on him.”
At 6-4 and 175 pounds, Lanier was named to the Wooden All-American team after his standout senior performance at Tennessee where he showcased his acute three-point shooting, especially when receiving the ball in a catch-and-shoot role or operating as a floor-spacing guard. On top of those qualities, Langdon spoke glowingly about not only Lanier the player but also Lanier the person.
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“First of all, high character, and a great young man,” Langdon said. “Obviously, has really worked his way up and gotten better from North Florida to Tennessee and had a tremendous year this year in the best conference in the country. But [he’s] competitive, can really shoot the ball, flies off actions and had a tremendous year. And like I said, in one of the best conferences and one of the better teams in the country.”
With an impressive resume and a positive first impression to his credit, Lanier is looking to earn a spot on a Detroit squad that is laden with playoff ambitions. As such Langdon provided a quick look at what the rookie shooting guard is focusing on at the moment.
“From Chaz’s perspective, getting him in here and getting him his first taste of NBA basketball on an NBA court,” Langdon said.
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