Rick Barnes’ best teams are known for their stifling defense and restricting pressure. While he’s been the Tennessee basketball head coach, the Vols have vastly improved its defense from years before, and he’s now looking to step up his game on the offensive side of the court.
The Vols emphasized offense in the transfer portal and, more importantly, efficient offensive scoring. Barnes To give themselves another chance at a Final Four and National Championship, they added some of the most productive scorers in the nation via the transfer site.
Among the players Barnes discovered through the gateway is Chaz Lanier. For the North Florida Ospreys past season, the guard who was named to the First Team All-ASUN averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
He was born in Nashville and is playing for Barnes and the Vols in his senior year at the Volunteer State. He ranked first in Synergy Basketball’s efficiency rating thanks to his effective offensive scoring, which may be the reason he’s becoming well-known on Rocky Top for his scoring.
The most efficient offensive players in college basketball this season: pic.twitter.com/udikHLVmlD
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) April 10, 2024
Barnes runs a shooting drill every year called the “KD Drill,” where players will take ten shots at seven different spots around the court. Players have to make 9/10 shots in each spot to complete the drill. If you miss more than one shot, you start the drill over.
Barnes called the drill the “KD Drill” because only Kevin Durant, during his time in Texas, was able to finish it.
Jordan Moore initially said that this changed this week after Lanier tried the KD Drill for himself, according to CBS Content on X/Twitter. Lanier took the initiative, tried the KD Drill twice, and finished it on his second try.
With the season still a few months away, Lanier may have an instant impact for the Vols. The BasketVols’ 2024–2025 season will begin at the end of October. Lanier is one of several newcomers hoping to lead the Vols to victory.
