Vescovi, Zeigler, Named to Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List
November 07, 2022 | Men's Basketball
Tennessee's backcourt duo of senior Santiago Vescovi and sophomore Zakai Zeigler have each been selected to the 50-player Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Monday.
The Naismith Trophy is awarded at the end of each season to the top player in all of college basketball. Tennessee is one of just eleven schools with multiple inclusions on the watch list.
Vescovi and Zeigler, who were also named preseason first-team All-SEC by the league's coaches last week are two of only seven players from the SEC included on the Naismith Trophy Watch List.
A 2022 All-SEC first team and SEC All-Tournament team selection, Vescovi is Tennessee's leading returning scorer after averaging 13.3 points per game a year ago.
Vescovi became just the second Vol in program history (Chris Lofton) to make 100 or more 3-pointers in a season in 2021-22. He finished with 102 total made 3-pointers, made multiple threes in 30 of Tennessee's 35 games and registered double figure scoring outputs in 28 of 35 games.
Zeigler burst onto the scene in a spark plug role during his freshman season on Rocky Top in 2021-22, ending the season by garnering SEC All-Freshman and All-Defensive Team honors.
During conference play, Zeigler averaged 10.1 points and 2.2 steals per game—a mark that ranked second in the SEC. The first player off of Tennessee's bench a team-high 19 times, Zeigler scored in double figures during 13 of Tennessee's final 17 games and averaged 10.9 points per game during that span, up from a 6.8 points per game average during the first 18 games.
Just over a week ago in the Vols' 99-80 exhibition win over No. 2 Gonzaga in the Legends of Basketball Classic on Oct. 28, Zeigler totaled 13 points, a game-high eight assists and three steals.
Tennessee, ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP Poll, is set to tip-off its 2021-22 season Monday night at 7 p.m. inside Thompson-Boling Arena, hosting in-state foe Tennessee Tech. Tickets remain available at AllVols.com.
The Naismith Trophy is awarded at the end of each season to the top player in all of college basketball. Tennessee is one of just eleven schools with multiple inclusions on the watch list.
Vescovi and Zeigler, who were also named preseason first-team All-SEC by the league's coaches last week are two of only seven players from the SEC included on the Naismith Trophy Watch List.
A 2022 All-SEC first team and SEC All-Tournament team selection, Vescovi is Tennessee's leading returning scorer after averaging 13.3 points per game a year ago.
Vescovi became just the second Vol in program history (Chris Lofton) to make 100 or more 3-pointers in a season in 2021-22. He finished with 102 total made 3-pointers, made multiple threes in 30 of Tennessee's 35 games and registered double figure scoring outputs in 28 of 35 games.
Zeigler burst onto the scene in a spark plug role during his freshman season on Rocky Top in 2021-22, ending the season by garnering SEC All-Freshman and All-Defensive Team honors.
During conference play, Zeigler averaged 10.1 points and 2.2 steals per game—a mark that ranked second in the SEC. The first player off of Tennessee's bench a team-high 19 times, Zeigler scored in double figures during 13 of Tennessee's final 17 games and averaged 10.9 points per game during that span, up from a 6.8 points per game average during the first 18 games.
Just over a week ago in the Vols' 99-80 exhibition win over No. 2 Gonzaga in the Legends of Basketball Classic on Oct. 28, Zeigler totaled 13 points, a game-high eight assists and three steals.
Tennessee, ranked No. 11 in the preseason AP Poll, is set to tip-off its 2021-22 season Monday night at 7 p.m. inside Thompson-Boling Arena, hosting in-state foe Tennessee Tech. Tickets remain available at AllVols.com.
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