“ 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.

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) ...

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 ...

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 lived with Armoni, Armoni's mom and stepfather for a few months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zakai Zeigler is averaging 11.9 points and 5.2 assists per game.

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.

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. Credit: AP/Michael Conroy ...