Here are the four Tennessee Volunteers who made ESPN’s Top 100 prospects list for the 2025 NBA Draft—an impressive result for Rick Barnes’ program :
🏀 Chaz Lanier (✅ ESPN #45)
Leads the Vols—he set Tennessee’s single-season record with 123 made three-pointers and averaged 18 PPG, shooting nearly 40% from deep .
Projected as a mid-second-round pick, with mocks placing him around #38 to the Spurs .
🧠 Zakai Zeigler (⚙️ ESPN #99 / Stats‑Only #29)
Despite being listed 99th overall, Zeigler ranks an impressive #29 in ESPN’s advanced Stats‑Only model, thanks to a W A R P of 1.3, elite 7.4 assists per game, and high steal rates .
Though undersized at 5′9″ and spotting below-average three-point shooting, analysts value his playmaking and defensive instincts .
📏 Igor Milicic Jr. (🟦 ESPN #51)
A 6′10″ stretch-four, Milicic Jr. averaged 9.4 PPG and 6.7 RPG, drawing solid praise for his combination of size and floor-spacing .
Appears in the mid-50s on ESPN’s board and also ranked 94th on other outlets like Rivals .
🛡️ Jahmai Mashack (🔒 ESPN #87)
Mashack stands out as an elite perimeter defender, having racked up 64 steals, placing him among Tennessee’s single-season leaders .
His defensive impact and versatility landed him the 87th spot on ESPN’s Top 100 .
🔮 Why It Matters
Having four players recognized—especially two (Lanier, Zeigler) projected in the second round—underscores Tennessee’s player development and signals increasing NBA relevance .
Lanier is poised for a likely late second-round selection, while Zeigler could earn a two-way contract. Milicic and Mashack may attract Summer League attention or earn training camp invites.
Tennessee’s representation on this list marks a turning point for the program, emerging as a viable NBA talent factory. With these prospects entering the league, Rocky Top’s stock keeps rising.
