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Tennessee basketball: Ranking all nine returning players for 2022-23

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) smile after James made a three-pointer during a basketball game between Tennessee and Texas A&M held at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Texas A M Hoops Bp
Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) smile after James made a three-pointer during a basketball game between Tennessee and Texas A&M held at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.Kns Vols Texas A M Hoops Bp /
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Jan 11, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) moves the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) moves the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Sophomore. Zakai Zeigler. 3. 534. Scouting Report. Point guard. player. Pick Analysis

5’9″ 167 pounds

After splitting time with Kennedy Chandler at point guard last year and becoming Tennessee basketball’s surprise breakout freshmen, Zakai Zeigler, is now back as the only true point guard on scholarship for this year’s team. As a result, it’s a safe bet that he’s not only a returning contributor but probably a returning starter.

Zeigler played in all 35 games last year, averaging over 22 minutes. He scored just under nine points a game and nearly three assists despite coming off the bench, shooting 35.2 percent from the three-point line, 84.3 percent from the free throw line and hitting just under one and a half three-pointers a game.

However, what really stood out with Zeigler was the fact that he averaged over one and a half steals a game. In fact, he had a 1:1 steals to turnover ratio, an impressive stat for a point guard. His aggression made him beloved by Vol fans, and if he fine-tunes it, he could become unstoppable in the future.

Newcomers B.J. Edwards and Tyreke Key will likely also help Zeigler in managing point guard duties, but make no mistake about it, Zeigler is the guy to run the show. Tennessee basketball is lucky to have him, and fans are likely really looking forward to what he can do this year.

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