Zakai Zeigler reflects on the trust coach Rick Barnes has in him
Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler opens about his relationship with coach Rich Barnes after their Sweet 16 victory.
Tennessee basketball’s Zakai Zeigler has played a huge role for the Vols since arriving on campus in 2021. The 5-foot-9 senior guard saved his best season for last in 2024-25.
Zeigler, who’s in his final season of eligibility, is averaging 13.9 points with 7.5 assists per game this season, ranking tied-for-fourth nationally in assists per game.
Zeigler, known for his gritty play, has embraced doing the dirty work for the Vols over the years. He has been plenty productive on top of his plays that don’t always get recognized.
Here’s everything to know of Zeigler as Tennessee plays Houston in the Elite Eight:
Who is Zakai Zeigler?
Zeigler is a fourth-year senior guard at Tennessee, where he has started games in each of his four seasons.
The 5-foot-9 guard hails from Long Island, New York, where he was a three-star recruit out of Immaculate Conception High School. Tennessee was easily his top offer, as 247Sports listed Minnesota, Boston College, Manhattan, New Mexico State and Wichita State as other schools to offer him and have interest.
Zeigler has undoubtedly overachieved in college based on his recruiting profile, not only averaging double-figure points in three of his four seasons, but also carving out a big role for Tennessee as early as his freshman season in 2021-22.
Zeigler is having his best season yet in 2024-25, averaging 13.9 points with 2.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game on 41.2% shooting. He was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024-25 en route to being named a third team All-America selection.
The Long Island, New York, native entered Sunday’s game against Houston as the program’s leader in assists (742) and steals (251), which also ranks third and ninth, respectively, in SEC history. He’s one of only 16 Power Five players ever to lead his program’s career record books in both assists and steals.
Zakai Zeigler stats
Here are Zeigler’s year-by-year stats at Tennessee:
- 2021-22: 8.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists per game on 38.1% shooting
- 2022-23: 10.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists per game on 37.5% shooting
- 2023-24: 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists per game on 39.3% shooting
- 2024-25: 13.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists per game on 34.2% shooting
Zakai Zeigler height
Zeigler listed at 5-foot-9, 172 pounds according to his Tennessee basketball bio.
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