“ Zakai Zeigler has impacted this program in four years in a way that nobody in their wildest imagination (expected),” Barnes said at the time. “In ways that you can’t even imagine.

Zakai Zeigler is a New York native who got his first win at Madison Square Garden with Tennessee basketball as the Vols beat Miami 75-62 on Tuesday.

Zakai Zeigler was born five weeks early, but the greatest concerns were never realized. His spine was intact. “I often joke that he was always just exceptional,” Charmane Zeigler said. "His ...

Zeigler was a last-second add to the 2021 class with no expectation that he would play during the 2021-22 season. This appeared on the outside to be UT taking a flier on someone who could be a ...

Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler brings the ball up against Kentucky in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP) ...

In Zakai Zeigler's mind, sitting is for quitters. He never wants to leave the floor, and Rick Barnes usually won't make him. Barnes doesn't even ask that much anymore, and he's fine with it.

FILE - Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler in action during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Kentucky Friday, March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo ...

Zakai Zeigler 'felt like he could go' in second half Zeigler warmed up after halftime with the intent to return, a Tennessee spokesperson said. He did return and played all 20 minutes.

Zakai Zeigler 'felt like he could go' in second half Zeigler warmed up after halftime with the intent to return, a Tennessee spokesperson said. He did return and played all 20 minutes.

NEW YORK — Zakai Zeigler is a talker and a storyteller. At just 20, he can spin a tale like an oldhead and has a story for every situation. Walk down a staircase to exit a hotel, and he’ll ...