Zakai Zeigler’s tenure at Tennessee ended in heartbreak, as the Volunteers fell to Houston in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Walking off the court for the final time in his Tennessee uniform, Zeigler approached head coach Rick Barnes, shook his hand, and offered a heartfelt message: “I’m sorry.” His words reflected the disappointment of the moment, but for Barnes, there was nothing to apologize for.
Barnes, who has coached countless players in his career, was visibly emotional about Zeigler’s words. “It hurt me because I knew how much he cared,” Barnes said. “He said ‘I’m sorry,’ but he’s got nothing to be sorry about. He gave us everything.”
Tennessee’s season ended with a 69-50 loss to No. 1 Houston, a game in which the Vols struggled offensively. They shot just 28.8% from the field, including a frustrating 5-for-29 from three-point range. Zeigler himself had a tough outing, scoring only five points on 1-for-9 shooting, adding five assists and four turnovers. Despite the rough finish, his impact on the program extends far beyond a single game.
Zeigler’s career at Tennessee has been nothing short of legendary. The senior point guard leaves as the SEC’s all-time single-season assist leader with 275, and he holds the Volunteers’ records for career assists (747) and steals (251). Over his 137-game career, he averaged 13.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game, cementing his place as one of the most accomplished players in program history.
Reflecting on his journey, Zeigler expressed deep gratitude for his time in Knoxville. “Coming into Knoxville, I didn’t have any expectations for anything like that. All I did was ask Coach Barnes for a chance and he gave it to me,” Zeigler said. “The mark that they left on me and my family, they changed our lives, really.”
Tennessee’s 2024-25 season was filled with highs, including an impressive 30-8 record and another deep tournament run. However, falling in the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season was a bitter pill to swallow. The Vols trailed by as many as 22 points in the first half and never managed to close the gap to single digits. Jordan Gainey and Chaz Lanier led the scoring effort with 17 points each, but the team’s shooting woes proved too much to overcome.
For Barnes, the defining aspect of this Tennessee team was not just their on-court performance, but their character and resilience. “I know those guys,” Barnes said. “They know I’m an older guy. They know I would love to win a national championship, but they have absolutely not one thing to hang their head down or be sorry about. We have a slogan at Tennessee: ‘Give your all for Tennessee.’ They did that in more ways than you can imagine.”
Alongside Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack also played his final game as a Volunteer. Mashack, known for his defensive prowess, contributed four points, five rebounds, and two steals in the loss. Together, Zeigler and Mashack were instrumental in Tennessee’s sustained success over the past four years, leading the program to four NCAA Tournament appearances, three Sweet 16s, and two Elite Eights.
Mashack spoke about the consistency and support he received from Barnes throughout his career. “I’ve seen Coach Barnes be the most consistent person,” Mashack said. “He loves to coach me, and he knows how much I put in this game. I really wanted to get there for him. I wanted people to realize how good of a coach he is.”
Both Zeigler and Mashack leave as two of the winningest players in Tennessee basketball history. Their tenure included nine NCAA Tournament victories and an SEC regular-season championship. Perhaps even more impressively, the Volunteers were nationally ranked for the entirety of their four-year careers.
Zeigler’s journey to Tennessee was an unlikely one. A three-star recruit in the 2021 cycle, he was discovered late by Barnes and his staff. Within a matter of weeks, he received an offer, visited campus, and committed to the Vols. That leap of faith turned into an unforgettable career.
“Tennessee has left such a mark on me—it’s really crazy to think about,” Zeigler said. “It’s been the best four years of my life. It changed my life. Knoxville is a place I’ll call home forever.”
Despite the disappointing ending, Zeigler remained thankful for the experiences he had at Tennessee. “I’m just so thankful for each and every person that’s a part of Vol Nation,” he said. “I’m so thankful for the coaches, my teammates, and everybody that’s part of Tennessee as a whole. I couldn’t do anything like that without my teammates. I couldn’t do anything like that without my coaches.”
As he moves on to the next chapter of his life, Zeigler leaves behind a legacy of excellence, resilience, and gratitude. His impact on Tennessee basketball will be remembered not just in the record books, but in the hearts of Vol Nation. His journey may have started with a simple request for an opportunity, but he made the most of it, leaving an indelible mark on the program he loves.
