NBA’s 80th Season Begins with Former Volunteers in Action

The NBA kicks off its 80th season on Tuesday, featuring six alumni from the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on active rosters.

The Volunteers in the NBA this year include Tobias Harris (Detroit Pistons), Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers), Chaz Lanier (Detroit Pistons), Julian Phillips (Chicago Bulls), Jaden Springer (New Orleans Pelicans), and Grant Williams (Charlotte Hornets).

Historic Contributions

Tennessee boasts a total of 57 all-time NBA Draft picks, with 10 selected since 2019.

Spotlight on Chaz Lanier

Lanier is the newest Volunteer to join the NBA, having had a standout season at Tennessee in 2025. The fifth-year senior set a program record with 123 made 3-pointers, ranking sixth in SEC history for a single season. He started all 38 games for the Volunteers, leading the team in points (684), field goals (243), and 3-point shooting percentage (39.5%). The Nashville native was picked by the Pistons in the second round as the 37th overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Dalton Knecht’s Rise

Knecht was chosen by the Lakers with the 17th pick in June 2024, marking the highest draft position for a Volunteer since Marcus Haislip in 2002. He led the SEC with an impressive 21.7 points per game during his fifth-year transfer season and was subsequently named SEC Player of the Year. Last season, he played 78 games, starting 16 and showcasing his scoring ability with a record of 27+ points in multiple matches.

Tobias Harris and His Tenure

Now in his 15th season, Harris returns to Detroit after prior stints with the franchise. During the 2024-25 regular season, he averaged 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds across 73 starts. Throughout his career, he ranks high among VFLs in various statistical categories, including total games played and points scored.

Other Notable Volunteers

Phillips embarks on his third season with the Bulls, while Springer begins his fifth season with the Pelicans after trades between Boston and Utah. Williams prepares for his seventh season with the Hornets, recovering from an ACL injury. Notably, Williams is a significant contributor with a record of accolades from his time at Tennessee.

Upcoming Games Featuring VFLs

Vols in the NBA – Opening Day Schedule
Tuesday, Oct. 21
Warriors at Lakers (Knecht) – 10:00 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Nets at Hornets (Williams) – 7:00 p.m. ET
Pelicans at Grizzlies (Springer) – 8:00 p.m. ET
Pistons at Bulls (Harris, Lanier, Phillips) – 8:00 p.m. ET