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Zakai Zeigler on what's next: 'I'm going to be in the NBA, 100%'

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey07/14/25GrantRamey
Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee Basketball | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
(Aaron Doster-Imagn Images) Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) reacts during the first half against the UCLA Bruins in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena.

Zakai Zeigler didn’t hear his name called in the NBA Draft. He didn’t get an invite to the NBA Scouting Combine or even the NBA’s G League Elite Camp. Still, the former Tennessee Basketball point guard hasn’t lost any confidence in his game. 

After getting signed to the Detroit Pistons roster for the NBA Summer League, Zeigler was asked during a recent appearance on the Greenlight Media podcast in Las Vegas how he’ll look back on this moment in five years.

“I’m going to be in the NBA, 100%,” Zeigler said. “I don’t see nothing else. I’ll definitely be in the NBA.”

Zakai Zeigler last season: 13.6 points, 7.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals

Zeigler had a career year as a senior at Tennessee last season, averaging 13.6 points, 7.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 34.2 minutes per game while leading the Vols to a second straight trip to the Elite Eight. 

He averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 29.3 minutes per game over 118 career games at Tennessee, shooting 39.0% from the field and 33.1% from the 3-point line.

Zeigler was an unknown three-star prospect out of New York in the class of 2021 before being offered a scholarship by Tennessee late in that summer. In a matter of weeks he took a visit to Knoxville, committed to the Vols and enrolled on campus. 

Now, after becoming a program legend over the last four seasons at Tennessee, he feels like he’s back in that same spot as he makes his move to the next level. 

“I feel like this is high school all over again,” Zeigler said. “I’m used to being an underdog. I’m used to people always doubting me. It’s always going to be something. I’m always used to that. 

“Somebody is always doubting me and saying all these things, I ight not be able to do this or that. It’s just like something that I’m always used to. I’m used to proving people wrong.”

Ten former Tennessee players in the NBA Summer League

Zeigler is one of at least 10 former Tennessee Basketball players in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. With the Pistons he’s teammates with Chaz Lanier, his former Tennessee teammate who was the No. 37 overall pick in the NBA Draft in June. 

Jahmai Mashack was the No. 59 overall pick, selected by the Memphis Grizzlies and becoming the 10th NBA Draft pick during the Rick Barnes era.

“Throughout the time and the experiences we had at Tennessee, we all became brothers,” Zeigler said. “Me and Chaz, we’re on the team together, we already talk all the time Jahmai and Jordan (Gainey), we all talk. DK (Dalton Knecht) and Kennedy (Chandler). 

“Still to this day, we all talk, no matter if we’re in Memphis, LA, Detroit, no matter what side of the country we’re on. Or if we’re in another country. I feel like we’re always going to talk to each other. Being at Tennessee really makes you build a true brotherhood.”

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