Mashack and Zeigler Named Finalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team has made history with two of its players, Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler, being named finalists for the prestigious Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award. The Atlanta Tipoff Club/Naismith Awards announced on Friday that Mashack and Zeigler are among the final four candidates for the honor.
This marks the first time ever in the award’s history—dating back to its inception in the 2017-18 season—that two players from the same team have been named as finalists. The only other instance of such an occurrence came on the women’s side, when South Carolina’s Brea Beal and Aliyah Boston achieved the feat in the 2022-23 season.
Mashack and Zeigler were not only selected as finalists but also stood out from the very beginning of the process. They were the only two teammates to be included on the 15-man Watch List announced on February 15 and later made it to the 10-player semifinalist list released on March 12. Their defensive excellence throughout the season has cemented their status as two of the top defensive players in college basketball.
Mashack’s Defensive Dominance
Jahmai Mashack, a senior guard from Fontana, California, has been one of the most impactful defenders in college basketball this season. His defensive numbers have been exceptional, earning him recognition as the 2024-25 Field of 68 National Defensive Player of the Year. One of the most telling statistics of his defensive prowess is his defensive-box plus-minus (DBPM) of 6.6, which ranks fourth-best in the country according to College Basketball Reference.
Mashack’s career DBPM of 6.12 ranks him 11th among all Division I players (minimum 50 games played) over the last 15 seasons (2010-25). This statistic underscores his sustained impact as an elite defender throughout his collegiate career.
His outstanding performance earned him a place on the SEC All-Defensive Team this season. His defensive efficiency is further highlighted by the fact that he held his primary assignments to 32.8 percent shooting and limited opponents to 0.585 points per possession on drives.
Additionally, the 6-foot-4, 202-pound guard is one of just five Power Five players in the nation who have accumulated at least 55 steals and 20 blocks this season, emphasizing his versatility and ability to impact the game on multiple defensive levels.
Zeigler’s Defensive Legacy
Zakai Zeigler, a senior guard from Long Island, New York, has solidified himself as one of the most dominant perimeter defenders in SEC history. His defensive accomplishments over the years have been nothing short of historic.
This marks the third consecutive season that Zeigler has been named a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist, having previously reached this stage in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. His ability to generate steals, disrupt offenses, and lock down opposing guards has been a key factor in Tennessee’s defensive success.
Zeigler currently holds the Tennessee program record for career steals, with an astonishing 247 steals to his name. This feat places him 10th all-time in SEC history.
During the 2024-25 season, Zeigler has recorded 64 steals, averaging 1.94 steals per game, which ranks third in the SEC. His season steal total also ties for seventh-most in Tennessee’s single-season history.
A testament to his consistency and dominance, Zeigler became the first player in SEC history to be named to the All-Defensive Team four times. He is also just the third player ever to win SEC Defensive Player of the Year multiple times.
At 5-foot-9 and 172 pounds, Zeigler may be undersized compared to many of his defensive counterparts, but his quick hands, defensive instincts, and relentless on-ball pressure make him one of the toughest defenders in the country. His 4.80 career DBPM ranks 10th in the SEC (minimum 50 games played) over the last 15 seasons (2010-25), further proving his sustained excellence.
Tennessee’s Defensive Success
With Mashack and Zeigler leading the charge, Tennessee has been one of the top defensive teams in the nation. The Volunteers currently rank:
3rd in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency (89.5)
3rd in 3-point percentage defense (28.2%)
3rd in effective field-goal percentage defense (44.7%)
4th in overall field-goal percentage defense (38.3%)
11th in scoring defense, allowing just 63.0 points per game
These numbers highlight how Tennessee has relied on its defensive identity to establish itself as one of the top teams in college basketball this season. The contributions of Mashack and Zeigler have been instrumental in achieving these rankings, making their selection as Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalists well-deserved.
What’s Next?
The winner of the 2024-25 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award will be officially announced on April 6, 2025, during Final Four weekend in San Antonio, Texas.
Mashack, Zeigler, and their sixth-ranked, second-seeded Tennessee team (28-7, 12-6 SEC) are not done yet. The Volunteers are set to compete in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 on Saturday night, facing seventh-seeded UCLA at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The game will tip off at 9:40 p.m. ET and be broadcast live on TNT and truTV.
As Tennessee continues its March Madness journey, the defensive performances of Mashack and Zeigler will be crucial in determining how far the team can advance. Whether or not one of them ultimately claims the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award, their impact on the defensive end has already left a lasting legacy in college basketball.
