Tennessee HC Rick Barnes Updates Zakai Zeigler's Injury Status
The Tennessee basketball team is now in the middle of summer practices in Knoxville. With that, there is now more news on point guard Zakai Zeigler. Zeigler suffered a torn ACL in Tennessee's senior night home win over the Arkansas Razorbacks last season. He would miss the remainder of the season, including the SEC tournament and March Madness.
Head coach Rick Barnes gave the media an update on Zeigler's injury, "He's ahead of where he wants to be, but we're not going to let (him) come back until we know he's 100% ready, and that won't be until late in the fall probably." Those comments were made on Tuesday during practice, and Barnes said he is "itching" to return to the floor. Despite several months left on his rehab, the point guard from Long Island is well ahead of schedule on a return to the court.
The Vols will also travel to Italy in August for some invitational games overseas, but it is unlikely that Zeigler will participate in those. A return to the floor would be huge for the Volunteers' guard. He had an improved sophomore season, including becoming the SEC leader in assists. He also averaged around 11 points and 3 rebounds a game on 37.5% shooting from the field.
Tennessee PG Zakai Zeigler during a regular season game against Alcorn State on December 4, 2022
He also had very good hands on the defensive end of the floor, as he averaged two steals a game. He was top five in the SEC in that category. Returning to the floor should allow Zeigler to become a special player in year three on Rocky Top. He was towards the top of the SEC in certain stats last. Next year can be an explosion of play-making Tennessee would love to see. Although it seems like a long time, it also seems that the Vols will be able to get him back at the very beginning of the season.
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