Point guard Zakai Zeigler can add another accolade to his growing résumé: the Tennessee Sportswriters Association has selected him as its 2025 Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. The award, voted on by sports journalists from across the state, recognizes the athlete who best embodies excellence on the court and leadership off it. Zeigler’s season offered plenty of evidence on both counts.
A season of impact
The junior floor general averaged 15.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, orchestrating the Volunteers’ offense with poise beyond his years. He shot a career‑best 40 percent from three‑point range and logged a 3.7-to‑1 assist‑to‑turnover ratio—numbers that underline his efficiency and decision‑making. When Tennessee needed a spark, Zeigler delivered, dropping 24 points and nine assists in an early‑February upset of then‑No. 4 Kentucky, and sealing two SEC road wins with last‑minute steals.
Intangibles that matter
Coaches and teammates rave about Zeigler’s tireless work ethic. Head coach Rick Barnes has called him “the engine that drives everything,” citing daily 6 a.m. shooting sessions and vocal leadership in film study. Those qualities helped Tennessee finish 27‑6 and claim a share of the SEC regular‑season crown. Even after missing the final month last year with a knee injury, Zeigler came back stronger, setting conference‑tournament records for single‑game assists (14) and total plus‑minus (+47).
Off‑court leadership
The TSWA also weighs character and community impact. Zeigler earns high marks there, too: he mentors local youth through Knoxville’s Emerald Youth Foundation and organized a holiday toy drive that collected more than 800 gifts. After an apartment fire displaced his family two seasons ago, he turned adversity into advocacy, teaming with the Red Cross to raise $50,000 for fire‑safety kits statewide.
Company he now keeps
By winning the TSWA honor, Zeigler joins a distinguished list of Vol legends—Chris Lofton (2007), Grant Williams (2018, 2019), and Admiral Schofield (2019 co‑winner)—who previously claimed the award. It also positions him as a frontrunner for All‑America consideration and bolsters his NBA draft profile, where scouts already tout his court vision and on‑ball defense.
What’s next
With Zeigler planning to test the NBA draft waters while retaining college eligibility, Tennessee fans may still have one more season to watch their floor leader in orange. Whether he returns or turns pro, this latest recognition cements Zakai Zeigler’s status as one of the Volunteer State’s most celebrated athletes—and a model of resilience, teamwork, and community spirit.
