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Zakai Zeigler opens up on his relationship with Tennessee HC Rick Barnes
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Zakai Zeigler and Tennessee are in the Elite Eight for a second straight season, easing past Kentucky to set up a meeting with Houston — a win will put the Volunteers in the Final Four for the first time in program history.
Zeigler has blossomed during his time with the program, thanks to a close relationship to head coach Rick Barnes.
“It’s amazing having a coach like this, a Hall of Fame coach, give me the keys, pretty much, and have that much trust in me. It means the world to me,” Zeigler said after the Vols’ 78-65 win on Friday.
Zeigler led all scorers with 18 points; despite a 5-for-13 day from the floor, he made 6 of his 7 free throws and added 10 assists vs. just 2 turnovers. It hasn’t been the easiest road for him — he missed the Vols’ Sweet 16 run in 2023 after tearing his ACL — but Barnes’ honesty throughout his time with the program has stood out.
“I was really never a point guard, and for me to be one of the top point guards in the country now, him pretty much bringing me into that, it’s amazing,” Zeigler said. “For him to have that much trust in me, it’s amazing. My mom calls me about it all the time and says she’s so thankful about it.”
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
