NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 3 teams for North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier

Chaz Lanier is one of the best available players in the NCAA Basketball transfer portal. Which teams are in the mix to land him?

There aren't many elite scorers left in the NCAA Basketball transfer portal, but one who remains is Chaz Lanier, a 6'4 guard from Nashville, Tennessee. After three years of limited production at North Florida, Lanier broke out in a big way this past season, leading the team with 19.7 ppg, shooting 51% from the field and 44% from three-point range. He was close to being one of a few to be part of the 50-40-90 shooting club.

Among Lanier's top performances included 30 points against Charleston Southern, as well as 35 in a win over North Alabama. Lanier was consistent against high-major competition as well, going for 22 points against Florida State and 16 versus Iowa.

Assuming that he does return from the NBA Draft process, Lanier reportedly has three teams to choose from, including a couple of from the SEC. Here's a closer look at how he'd fit with each of them.

BYU Cougars

The Cougars have a rebuilt roster after the coaching change, having lost leading scorer Jaxson Robinson, along with top-40 incoming freshman guard, Collin Chandler. They did bring back Richie Saunders and Dallin Hall but neither are the kind of pure scorer as Lanier, who'd have the chance to be the focal point of the Big 12 team. On paper, BYU might not be as good as the two SEC teams but there's much less of a chance of him being buried on the bench in Provo than the others.

Kentucky Wildcats

Coach Mark Pope has gone from BYU to Kentucky, landing several key transfers. On the perimeter includes Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea and former Oklahoma guard Otega Oweh. With a lack of clear wings on the roster, there's a clear path for Lanier to either start or be a 6th Man at Kentucky. They'd be a top-25 caliber team with postseason expectations with Lanier but depending on who else emerges among the incoming transfers, he could be either the 2nd-best player to potentially the 9th or 10th guy.

Tennessee Volunteers

Having lost All-American Dalton Knecht and a couple of backup guards, the Vols are looking for potentially more offense for next season. They landed 6'6 guard/wing Darlinstone Dubar, who averaged 17.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg at Hofstra last year. He can play the 3 or 4-spot in the lineup, while Lanier can play the 2 or 3, so it would work to add him.

Being the hometown option could give Tennessee the advantage if this is a truly open recruitment but BYU could offer the larger role and Kentucky might have the biggest upside of the trio. The Vols are a consistent NCAA Tournament team themselves and with Lanier, could be even better than the Wildcats in the SEC again.