Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier Honored with Prestigious Jerry West Award for Stellar Season
Despite the Tennessee Volunteers’ basketball season ending sooner than hoped, the team still has plenty to celebrate—especially when it comes to standout transfer guard Chaz Lanier. The former North Florida star made an immediate impact in his first year on Rocky Top, and his efforts have now earned him national recognition.
On Saturday, Lanier was named the winner of the prestigious Jerry West Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually to the best shooting guard in men’s college basketball, marking Lanier as the nation’s top player at his position for the 2024–25 season.
The moment Lanier received the news was captured on video by the university. Assistant coach Rod Clark cleverly set the stage by telling Lanier they were going to review game film. Instead, the team surprised him with the announcement that he had won one of college basketball’s highest honors.
The Jerry West Award, now in its eleventh year, pays tribute to one of the most legendary figures in the sport. Jerry West, a 1980 Hall of Fame inductee and 1959 Final Four MVP, is known not only for his illustrious playing career but also for his transformative influence as an NBA executive. On the court, West earned 14 All-Star selections and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972. Off the court, he built championship dynasties, helping shape Lakers teams that defined eras—first with Magic Johnson in the 1980s, and later with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in the early 2000s. He would also go on to play a pivotal role in constructing the Golden State Warriors’ dominant teams of the late 2010s.
Earning an award that carries West’s name is no small feat, and Lanier’s path to this achievement is equally impressive. After entering the transfer portal last offseason, Lanier was one of the most sought-after players on the market. His decision to transfer from North Florida to Tennessee added a dynamic scoring threat to the Vols’ roster—and he wasted no time making an impact.
Throughout the 2024–25 season, Lanier proved to be a consistent offensive force. He led Tennessee in scoring, averaging 18 points per game. He also chipped in 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest, rounding out his contributions on both ends of the floor. What truly set him apart, however, was his sharpshooting from beyond the arc. Lanier knocked down 123 three-pointers over the course of the season, a new school record for the Volunteers. That total also placed him sixth all-time for a single season in SEC history—a remarkable feat in a conference known for high-caliber basketball talent.
Lanier’s ability to stretch defenses and deliver in clutch moments made him an indispensable part of the Vols’ success this year. While Tennessee’s season ultimately didn’t culminate in a deep NCAA Tournament run, Lanier’s individual performance never wavered.
His consistency and explosive scoring helped Tennessee maintain national relevance throughout the season. Lanier’s contributions were frequently highlighted in game recaps and highlight reels, often punctuated by key shots or momentum-shifting plays that turned the tide in tightly contested matchups.
In earning the Jerry West Award, Lanier outpaced a group of highly talented finalists. Among those considered were Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe, Memphis’ P.J. Haggerty, Texas’ Tre Johnson, and Arizona’s Caleb Love. Each had standout seasons of their own, but Lanier’s combination of efficiency, volume scoring, and leadership ultimately put him over the top in the eyes of the Hall of Fame’s selection committee.
Lanier follows in the footsteps of North Carolina’s R.J. Davis, who won the award in the previous season. The list of past recipients includes a number of current NBA players and college basketball legends, further underscoring the significance of Lanier’s accomplishment.
This recognition is not just a personal milestone for Lanier—it also shines a light on the Tennessee program, reinforcing its reputation as a destination for elite talent, especially within the context of college basketball’s evolving transfer landscape. With the transfer portal playing an increasingly central role in team building, Lanier’s success story may serve as a model for how a player can elevate both his game and his team by making the right move.
In the broader scheme, Lanier’s story is also a testament to perseverance and growth. Coming from a mid-major program, he faced plenty of skepticism when transitioning to the SEC—a conference packed with NBA prospects and seasoned coaching. But Lanier rose to the challenge, adapting quickly to the higher level of competition and proving that his game could translate against the nation’s best.
For Tennessee fans, the moment serves as a bright spot in what was still a strong, albeit bittersweet, campaign. The Vols were competitive all season and remained a fixture in national rankings, thanks in large part to Lanier’s scoring prowess. And while they may not have made the deep tournament run many had hoped for, having one of their own receive a national award helps solidify the program’s momentum heading into next season.
Lanier’s future remains bright. Whether he opts to return to Tennessee for another year or take his talents to the professional ranks, he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered by fans and celebrated by the university. His name now sits alongside some of college basketball’s elite, etched into the history of the sport through the honor of the Jerry West Award.
In a season that had its share of highs and lows, Chaz Lanier provided the kind of excitement and excellence that keeps fans coming back. His journey from North Florida standout to Tennessee star, now capped with national recognition, is the kind of story that defines what college basketball is all about.
