Zakai Zeigler Explained

Zakai Za’Miek Zeigler (born August 2, 2002) is an American college basketball player for the Tennessee Volunteers of the Southeastern Conference.

High school career

Zeigler graduated from Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx, New York, but he played basketball at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, New Jersey. With Immaculate Conception, Zeigler averaged 20.3 points and 4.6 assists per game.^[1] A three-star recruit, he committed to play college basketball at the University of Tennessee over offers from Minnesota, Boston College, and Wichita State.^{[2] [3]}

College career

In his freshman season, Zeigler made an immediate impact.^[4] He finished the season averaging 8.8 points per game while shooting 35% from three.^[5] The following season, Zeigler averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 assists per game before his season prematurely ended after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game against Arkansas.^{[6] [7] [8]} Zeigler returned to action the next season with limited playing time.^[9] His role increased throughout the season as he recovered, eventually being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year at the season's end.^{[10] [11]}

Career statistics

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22| style="text-align:left;"| Tennessee| 35 || 1 || 22.1 || .381 || .352 || .843 || 1.9 || 2.7 || 1.7 || .1 || 8.8|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Tennessee| 30 || 15 || 28.8|| .375|| .311 || .833 || 2.7 || 5.4 || 2.0 || .2 || 10.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24| style="text-align:left;"| Tennessee| 36 || 30 || 31.6 || .393 || .344 || .706 || 2.8 || 6.1 || 1.7 || .1 || 11.8|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 101 || 46 || 27.5 || .384 || .335 || .782 || 2.5 || 4.7 || 1.8 || .1 || 10.4

Personal life

Zeigler's half-brother, Armoni, plays for the Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team.^{[12] [13]}

External links

• Tennessee Volunteers bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021-08-27 . 3-star recruit Zakai Zeigler commits to Tennessee basketball . 2024-03-20 . wbir.com . en-US.
2. Web site: 2022-02-16 . From Wyandanch to Tennessee: Zakai Zeigler's amazing hardwood journey . 2024-03-20 . Greater Long Island . en-US.
3. Web site: Wilson . Mike . Trains, sacrifices and a last chance: Zakai Zeigler's journey to Tennessee basketball . 2024-07-01 . Knoxville News Sentinel . en-US.
4. Web site: Stone . Ethan . 2022-01-06 . Zakai Zeigler settling into major role to start his freshman season at Tennessee . 2024-03-20 . The Daily Beacon . en.
5. Web site: Could Zakai Zeigler be ready for Tennessee basketball season opener? . 2024-03-20 . Knoxville News Sentinel . en-US.
6. Web site: Wilson . Mike . Zakai Zeigler out for Tennessee basketball vs Lenoir-Rhyne exhibition . 2024-07-01 . Knoxville News Sentinel . en-US.
7. Web site: Simpson . Carissa . 2023-03-01 . Zakai Zeigler tore ACL during Arkansas game, Tennessee Athletics says . 2024-07-01 . WVLT . en.
8. Web site: Jarreau . Caleb . 2024-03-01 . Zakai Zeigler looks back on knee injury a year later . 2024-07-01 . The Daily Beacon . en.
9. Web site: Wilson . Mike . Tennessee basketball gets 'heart and soul' back with Zakai Zeigler's return from ACL injury . 2024-07-01 . Knoxville News Sentinel . en-US.
10. Web site: Dauer . Paige . 2024-03-14 . Tennessee gets its ‘heart and soul’ back with Zakai Zeigler on the floor . 2024-07-01 . WVLT . en.
11. Web site: 2024-03-11 . Zakai Zeigler earns SEC Defensive Player of the Year after rebounding from 2023 injury . 2024-07-01 . WBIR . en-US.
12. Web site: 2024-03-20 . 'That’s my brother — it’s my heart, it’s my world' Zakai and Armoni Zeigler excited to face off in Tennessee-Saint Peter's matchup . 2024-07-01 . wbir.com . en-US.
13. Web site: Wilson . Mike . Zakai Zeigler, Armoni Zeigler March Madness brothers matchup started on Long Island hoop . 2024-07-01 . Knoxville News Sentinel . en-US.