Chaz Lanier, senior guard for the University of Tennessee, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Jerry West Award, honoring him as the nation’s top shooting guard. The announcement was made live on ESPN College GameDay, marking a significant achievement both for Lanier and the Tennessee basketball program.
About the Jerry West Award
The Jerry West Award, named after the legendary Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player, is presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the best shooting guard in men’s college basketball. Now in its 11th year, the award recognizes players who exemplify excellence at the position, both in skill and character.
Lanier’s Historic Season
Lanier transferred to Tennessee from North Florida and quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Volunteers’ success. In his lone season on Rocky Top, he averaged:
- 18.0 points per game
- 3.9 rebounds per game
- 1.1 assists per game
He set a new Tennessee single-season record with 123 made three-pointers, which also ranks as the sixth-highest total in SEC history. Lanier shot an impressive 39.5% from beyond the arc, surpassing the previous school record held by Chris Lofton.
His prolific shooting placed him fourth nationally in made three-pointers, and he was one of only three SEC players to make over 100 threes during the season.
Impact on Tennessee Basketball
Lanier’s contributions were instrumental in leading Tennessee to a 30-8 record, a 12-6 mark in SEC play, and an Elite Eight appearance-just the third in program history. The Volunteers spent the entire season ranked in the AP Top 12, with five weeks at the No. 1 spot.
His accolades for the season include:
- NABC Third Team All-American
- The Sporting News Third Team All-American
- Wooden Award All-American
- AP First Team All-SEC
- SEC Newcomer of the Year (as voted by league coaches)
Reaction and Legacy
In his acceptance, Lanier expressed deep gratitude:
“It is a true privilege to win the Jerry West Award and I am deeply honored. I would not be in this position without God and the support of my family, my coaches, my teammates and the fans. Representing the University of Tennessee this year has been special and this accolade is not just about me, but about all of us who contributed to such an awesome season.”
Lanier edged out notable finalists including Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe, Memphis’ P.J. Haggerty, Texas’ Tre Johnson, and Arizona’s Caleb Love. He is the first Tennessee player and only the second SEC player (after Kentucky’s Malik Monk in 2017) to win the Jerry West Award.
Significance for Tennessee
Lanier’s win marks the second consecutive year a Tennessee player has received a major Naismith Starting Five award, following Dalton Knecht’s Julius Erving Award in 2024. This achievement underscores Tennessee’s growing reputation as a destination for elite transfer talent and a program capable of developing players into national standouts.
Conclusion
Chaz Lanier’s Jerry West Award cements his place among college basketball’s elite and adds another chapter to Tennessee’s storied season. His record-breaking shooting, leadership, and impact on the Volunteers’ deep tournament run will be remembered as one of the finest single-season performances in school history.
