University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Zeigler on Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List
October 30, 2024 | Men's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Senior guard Zakai Zeigler of the University of Tennessee men's basketball team is a Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy College Player of the Year Preseason Watch List designee, as announced Wednesday afternoon by the Atlanta Tipoff Club/Naismith Awards.
Zeigler is one of 50 selections for the prestigious list, nine of whom are from the SEC. The others from the league are Auburn's Johni Broome, Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., Arkansas' Johnell Davis, Texas' Tre Johnson, Ole Miss' Matthew Murrell, Alabama's Grant Nelson, Kentucky's Jaxson Robinson, Alabama's Mark Sears and Texas A&M's Wade Taylor IV.
The 5-foot-9, 172-pounder is coming off a splendid junior campaign in which, for the second year in a row, he both led the SEC in assists average and finished as one of 10 semifinalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Zeigler was also a First Team All-SEC pick by the league's coaches and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Zeigler posted 11.8 points, 6.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game last year, appearing in all 36 contests and starting each of the final 30.
In addition to his latest honor from the Naismith Trophy, Zeigler has also been named a Preseason Second Team All-American by Blue Ribbon Yearbook, a Preseason Third Team All-American by ESPN's Jay Bilas, a Preseason First Team All-SEC choice by the media and a Bob Cousy Award Top 20 Preseason Watch List honoree.
Last season, Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht finished as one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy. It marked the second time in six years a Volunteer made that cut, as Grant Williams did so in 2018-19.
Zeigler and the Volunteers, who enter the 2024-25 campaign ranked No. 12 nationally, begin the regular season Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., as they host Gardner-Webb at Food City Center, live on SEC Network+.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men's basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
Zeigler is one of 50 selections for the prestigious list, nine of whom are from the SEC. The others from the league are Auburn's Johni Broome, Florida's Walter Clayton Jr., Arkansas' Johnell Davis, Texas' Tre Johnson, Ole Miss' Matthew Murrell, Alabama's Grant Nelson, Kentucky's Jaxson Robinson, Alabama's Mark Sears and Texas A&M's Wade Taylor IV.
The 5-foot-9, 172-pounder is coming off a splendid junior campaign in which, for the second year in a row, he both led the SEC in assists average and finished as one of 10 semifinalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Zeigler was also a First Team All-SEC pick by the league's coaches and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Zeigler posted 11.8 points, 6.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game last year, appearing in all 36 contests and starting each of the final 30.
In addition to his latest honor from the Naismith Trophy, Zeigler has also been named a Preseason Second Team All-American by Blue Ribbon Yearbook, a Preseason Third Team All-American by ESPN's Jay Bilas, a Preseason First Team All-SEC choice by the media and a Bob Cousy Award Top 20 Preseason Watch List honoree.
Last season, Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht finished as one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy. It marked the second time in six years a Volunteer made that cut, as Grant Williams did so in 2018-19.
Zeigler and the Volunteers, who enter the 2024-25 campaign ranked No. 12 nationally, begin the regular season Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., as they host Gardner-Webb at Food City Center, live on SEC Network+.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men's basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
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