Zakai Zeigler: Veteran Volunteer
Zeigler has been the primary ball handler, and a notable 2-way force, for a Tennessee team that has made back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. At 5’9”, can his game translate to the next level?
Throughout college basketball history, only one player can say that he was a four-time All-SEC Defensive Team designee. That player, who also holds the records for most total steals in Tennessee MBB history and most total assists in Tennessee MBB history, is Zakai Zeigler. Hailing out of Long Island as a 3-star recruit, Zeigler joined a highly-touted 2021 Tennessee recruiting class and spent his first season coming off the bench behind future second-round-pick Kennedy Chandler. He excelled in this role, however, and managed to put up 1.7 steals and 8.8 points in limited minutes. His sophomore year was cut short due to a torn ACL, yet he finished that campaign out with double-digit points. He would return from injury his junior season to a starting position, which he retained for the rest of his college career. Throughout these final 2 years as a starter, he led the Volunteers to an SEC Regular Season Conference Championship in 2024 and brought them to the Elite Eight two years in a row, all while taking home back-to-back SEC Defensive Player of the Year awards. Throughout his collegiate years, he has served as both the driving force behind multiple elite offenses, as well as one of the best, if not the best, defensive guards in the country. At 5’9”, it is unclear if he will manage to carve out a role in the NBA, so let’s take a look at what traits he may carry with him to an NBA team.
Basic Stats (2024-2025): 34.2 MPG, 13.9 PPG, 7.5 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 3.0 T/O, 41.2% FG%
PROS:
Elite passer (7.5 ASTs/G)
Aware of where all of his teammates are on the court at all times; if a shooter has any space at all, he will get them the ball in time for them to get a shot off. Even when it comes to trailers who are running behind him and are not visible, he is aware of their position on the court and can get them the ball for a good look.
Excellent at penetrating the defense and dumping the ball off to a big, or lobbing it to a big, if the defense collapses when he drives. He is also able to weave the ball through limited space to feed a big after driving.
Generates lots of steals on defense (1.9 STLs/G)
He has very active hands on defense which, in addition to his speed as a shorter player, cause problems for players when they try to get by him; he stays on players’ hips when they drive and quickly goes for the ball if he thinks he can grab a steal.
When off the ball, he always keeps his hands in front of his assignment (especially when his assignment cuts), which leads to lots of pass interceptions or deflections; allows very few easy passes to whomever he is guarding.
Beats defenders off the dribble
Has a quick, explosive first step that many defenders can struggle to keep up with; this is especially prevalent when he pump fakes, where he drops one of his feet back to accelerate forward with speed and strength.
When he has a step on a defender, he has a good move where he pins them on his hip and explodes forward, which gives him lots of speed heading towards the basket, while also leaving the defender well behind him.
Great playmaker off dribble handoffs (Points per Possession on such plays in 91st percentile on Synergy)
When both defenders play up on the handoff, he cuts the corner rapidly after receiving the ball and beats everyone to the rim for a quality layup.
When both defenders give him room on the handoff and prepare for him to drive, he takes the spot-up three and has excelled on converting here.
No matter how both defenders attempt to guard the handoff, he has great on-the-fly decision-making skills and almost always makes the right play.
Solid ball handler
Dribbles with confidence & maintains a low, tight handle and is unfazed by pressure from engaged defenders; also has a solid package of dribble moves reminiscent of an NBA guard, helping him create space and excel in the isolation game.
CONS:
Undersized for the NBA
At 5’9”, his short frame can give him a rough time in the modern NBA, where many guards’ heights can enter the 6’6” to 6’8” range.
His weight of 171 lb. is not bad for a guard, but that might not make up for the difficulties handed to him by his short height.
Inconsistent 3-point shooter
For someone who attempts as many threes as he does (5.4 3PAs/G, 86th percentile), his three point percentage of 32.6% is very inefficient.
His guarded 3pt% (27.8%) and 3pt% off the dribble (25.5%) are where this has mostly been an issue. This concerns me about his ability to shoot in the NBA, because as a shorter guard who is usually running the offense, he will face difficult contests from much taller players and will take most of his threes off the dribble since hs is the primary ball handler; given his playing style, these two categories of threes are where his numbers need to be exceptional, which hasn’t been the case.
Struggles to finish over taller defenders
He often shies away from going up and taking contact at the rim, and instead tries to avoid contact by taking awkward layups from difficult angles.
While he pulls off quite a few crafty finishes at the rim, these moves are less effective when he goes against taller forwards or big men. This will only prove to be more difficult when he faces bigger opponents in the NBA, who are also better equipped to block his creative layups.
Turns the ball over too much (3.0 T/O’s/G)
He often tries to get too creative with passes that are nearly impossible and just get stolen; also, when he drives into traffic, he tends to panic and lose the ball, or gets it poked away by a lengthier defender.
Final Take: Zakai Zeigler is a short, yet solid point guard who is excellent at facilitating the offense, is a menacing defender around the perimeter, and has an excellent first step off the dribble; however, at 5’9”, his small frame gives me concerns about how well his game can translate to the NBA, especially when it comes to finishing over big men. Also, his 3-pt shooting has been subpar so far in his career, which is a dangerous problem for someone of his size.
Draft Projection: Late 2nd Round to Undrafted
Player Comp: Jose Alvarado on defense: both are small, yet gritty and effective, perimeter defenders. Isaiah Thomas plus on offense: seems to have better basketball IQ and facilitation than Thomas, and overall looks even better equipped to run an NBA offense than him.