Tennessee basketball could be returning a fan-favorite guard if all things work out. Zakai Zeigler has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an extra year of eligibility in hopes of returning to Tennessee for one final year in 2025-26.
The press release shared that Zeigler is seeking to compete in the 2025-26 college basketball season in the lawsuit. Zeigler accuses the NCAA of "an unlawful restraint of trade under federal and state antitrust laws" with its four years of eligibility within a five-year window rule.
Zeigler averaged a career best 13.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.9 steals in his senior season, while shooting 40.4% from the field and 32.2% from three-point range. He also set the SEC assists record with 747 career assists.
This would be a huge win for Tennessee as Zeigler has spent the past four years in Rick Barnes' system. He has earned two SEC Player of the Year Awards and has been a key piece in Tennessee's offense and defense the past two seasons.
Not only is he able to run the court with the ball in his hand, but he is also an ultimate locker room guy, leading Tennessee on and off the court.
Barnes and Zeigler have developed a unique relationship during their time at Rocky Top. Zeigler welcomes Barnes's hard coaching while also developing a strong off-the-court relationship. He bought into everything Barnes and the Vols basketball program have been selling.
This is the second player to begin the process of seeking a fifth year of eligibility, as Zeigler joins Jordan Gainey in hoping to gain a fifth year to play one more season for Barnes and the Vols.
Barnes mentioned the Vols would not seek to fill their final roster spot after adding some depth in the transfer portal. This indicated that Barnes might just be holding onto his final roster spot, but it could be for Gainey or Zeigler.
The NCAA has been considering a rule change that would allow athletes to compete for five seasons instead of only four years in college athletics. If this is passed, each team would also receive an additional scholarship, which would allow Barnes to bring back Zeigler and Gainey without issues.