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Shooting is the single most coveted skill in the NBA, and the Nets on Thursday worked out the top shooter in the upcoming draft.
At least, that’s how the confident Chaz Lanier views himself.
“I believe I’m the top shooter available in the draft,” Lanier informed The Post. “Furthermore, I am a fierce competitor, a person driven to succeed, eager to win, and committed to delivering top-notch performance for the team.
“I am convinced that I boast a solid track record, offering maturity and experience to any team selecting me. I have demonstrated my ability to adjust and continually improve. Therefore, I consider myself a mature and seasoned individual capable of making a meaningful contribution in a prompt manner.”
Lanier being the draft’s top marksman might not be hyperbole.
The 6-foot-4 Tennessee off-guard averaged 18 points on 39.5 percent shooting from 3-point territory this season.
His middling defense and age (23) have him 34th on Tankathon’s Big Board and 42nd on ESPN’s, putting him in range of the Nets with the No. 36 pick.
The Nets also have picks No. 26 and 27, and there are indications some teams view him as a potential first-round target.
But Lanier spun that age as experience, as a strong suit.
“While some individuals view age negatively, others see it as an advantage, which is how I prefer to present it,” Lanier explained. “I bring maturity and experience to the table, particularly in terms of immediate shooting capabilities. Given the emerging trend of players returning to school due to NIL, the draft now favors slightly older individuals…hence, there are numerous benefits to this shift.”
Lanier worked out with five other prospects Thursday at HSS Training Center, including Volunteers teammate Jahmai Mashack and Colorado State guard Nique Clifford, tabbed to go in the middle of the first round.
Lanier met several Nets players and personnel.
“I pretty much got to meet everybody, from the head coach Jordi Fernández to the assistant GM, the GM,” Lanier said. “The whole front office was there and the coaching staff, so it was great. It was a great opportunity.”
In Lanier’s last season at North Florida before transferring, he led the country in offensive efficiency, and his 44 percent from deep also led the nation (among players averaging seven-plus attempts).
He won the Jerry West Award this season at Tennessee as the nation’s top shooting guard, was fourth in the country in 3s (123) and in the 99th percentile in win shares (5.2).
A strong draft combine showing also raised Lanier’s stock. He led all prospects in spot-up shooting and free-throw shooting.
He finished third in standing vertical leap, fifth in lane agility and second in aggregate shooting, trailing only Alabama’s Mark Sears.
His skill set could come in handy for a Nets team that wants to take 3s (top 10 in attempts last season) but can’t hit them (bottom 10 in percentage).
Considering they’re in a rebuild, there is a runway toward playing time.
“Definitely a golden opportunity. I feel like everything needs shooting, especially in today’s league and the way most teams play,” Lanier said. “And in Brooklyn, they play an unselfish brand of basketball. You’re out there on the court having a great time with your teammates and playing defense, most importantly.
“I really admire the way coach Jordi Fernández really runs the organization. The culture is amazing. Being able to meet with everybody and all the staff, getting to meet some of the players you can tell everybody’s bought into the culture. It’s not about ‘me,’ it’s about ‘we.’ And I really admire that about what coach is building.”