After losing Dalton Knecht this offseason, Tennessee basketball needed to add offensive talent to its roster this offseason. That’s exactly what the Vols did with their additions to the roster in the transfer portal.
Two of those players, North Florida’s Chaz Lanier and Hofstra’s Darlinstone Dubar, are particularly talented offensive players.
In fact, Lanier and Dubar were two of the four most efficient offensive players in college basketball last season according to Synergy. Lanier ranked first in the country averaging 1.20 points per possession used for North Florida while Dubar ranked fourth in the country averaging 1.15 points per possession used.
The two players that ranked between Lanier and Dubar? Kentucky’s Antonio Reeves and Purdue’s Zach Edey. Both of those players are off to the NBA meaning that Lanier and Dubar are the two most efficient offensive players returning to college basketball next season.
Ranked immediately behind Dubar? Alabama’s Mark Sears and Illinois’ Terrence Shannon. It’s extremely strong company for two players that are looking to prove they can play at a high level in the SEC like they did in smaller conferences.
More From RTI: Where Tennessee’s Transfer Class Ranks After Landing Chaz Lanier
Lanier, a top 15 transfer this offseason, was the prized piece of Tennessee’s transfer class. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard committed to the Vols over BYU and Kentucky after a breakout senior season at North Florida.
The Nashville native averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season for the Ospreys while taking an elevated scoring role as a fourth-year senior. Lanier shot 51% from the field, 44% from three-point range (201 attempts) and 88% from the foul line.
Dubar was the first transfer to commit to Rick Barnes and his staff this offseason. As a senior last season at Hofstra, the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 17.8 points per game on 54% shooting from the field, 40% shooting from three-point range and 74% from the foul line.
One of the best spot up shooters in the country, Dubar made 73 three-pointers last season and turned in big performances against Duke (24 points) and St. John’s (23 points).
With two of most efficient offensive players in the country joining a roster with an elite pass first point guard in Zakai Zeigler’s and there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about Tennessee’s offense again next season.
