Knoxville, Tennessee – The pride in Rocky Top is swelling, and for good reason. University of Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler has cemented his place in college basketball lore, accomplishing a truly rare and remarkable feat this season by earning both the coveted 2025 Bob Cousy Award and the Midseason Wooden Award. This spectacular display of dominance on the court, particularly for a player of his stature and after overcoming significant adversity, speaks volumes about his talent, dedication, and impact on the game.
The Bob Cousy Award, presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizes the nation’s top men’s collegiate point guard. To win this award, a player must exhibit exceptional leadership, playmaking ability, scoring prowess, and overall floor generalship. Zeigler was named one of five finalists in early March 2025, alongside formidable talents like Mark Sears (Alabama), Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida), Kam Jones (Marquette), and Braden Smith (Purdue). His eventual selection for this prestigious honor is a testament to his mastery of the point guard position, controlling the tempo of games, orchestrating the offense, and consistently making his teammates better.
The Midseason Wooden Award, on the other hand, recognizes the leading candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the most outstanding player in collegiate basketball. The Wooden Award considers not only on-court performance but also academic achievement and character. Zeigler’s inclusion and subsequent recognition on this midseason list (and later the Top 15 National Ballot, as confirmed in March 2025) underscores his status as one of the most impactful players in the entire country, a player whose all-around contributions make him a true national player of the year contender. While Cooper Flagg ultimately won the 2025 John R. Wooden Award in April 2025, Zeigler’s presence as a midseason frontrunner speaks to his phenomenal season-long consistency.
Zakai Zeigler’s senior year (2024-2025) at Tennessee has been nothing short of spectacular. He has been the undeniable engine of the Volunteers, leading them to a formidable 30-8 overall record and a 12-6 mark in SEC play, securing a strong fourth-place finish in a historically tough conference. His leadership was particularly evident as the Vols earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to top-seed Purdue in a hard-fought contest.
Let’s delve into the numbers that illustrate his dominance:
- Scoring: Zeigler averaged 13.1 points per game during the regular season, a consistent offensive threat who could create his own shot or hit from beyond the arc. His ability to score in traffic despite his 5-foot-9 frame is remarkable, a testament to his quickness and craftiness.
- Assists: This is where Zeigler truly shined. He averaged an astounding 7.5 assists per game, ranking among the top five nationally and consistently dissecting defenses with his vision and passing accuracy. His 224 total assists were just three shy of Tennessee’s single-season record. He posted six-plus assists in all but five of his 2024-2025 appearances, with eight-plus in half of them, showcasing his elite playmaking.
- Rebounding: At 5-foot-9, Zeigler’s 3.0 rebounds per game might not jump off the page, but for a point guard of his size, it demonstrates his commitment to hustle and his knack for securing loose balls.
- Steals: A tenacious defender, Zeigler averaged 1.9 steals per game, often igniting fast breaks and disrupting opponents’ offensive flow. His defensive prowess earned him a second consecutive SEC Defensive Player of the Year award, making him the first player in SEC history to be a four-time All-Defensive Team selection.
- Efficiency: He shot 39.5% from the field and 31.9% from three-point range, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively even while shouldering a massive playmaking load. His 80.2% free-throw percentage highlighted his reliability from the charity stripe.
Beyond the raw statistics, Zeigler’s impact is seen in his intangibles. His relentless motor, his vocal leadership, and his ability to elevate his teammates have been crucial to Tennessee’s success. He plays with a fearlessness that belies his size, consistently driving into the lane against bigger defenders and making high-IQ plays under pressure.
What makes Zeigler’s accomplishments even more profound is the journey he’s taken. In the 2022-2023 season, his sophomore year, Zeigler’s season was prematurely ended when he tore his ACL in a game against Arkansas. This devastating injury could have derailed many careers, but Zeigler’s dedication to rehabilitation was unwavering. He returned to action in the 2023-2024 season, slowly regaining his form, and ultimately earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors that year, showcasing his incredible resilience.
His 2024-2025 season represents the full realization of his potential after returning from such a severe injury. To not only get back on the court but to reach an even higher level of play, earning national accolades like the Bob Cousy Award and being a Wooden Award frontrunner, is a testament to his mental fortitude and relentless work ethic.
Zakai Zeigler’s name will now be etched among the greatest guards in Tennessee basketball history. He has been a consistent force since his freshman year, making an immediate impact and continuously evolving his game. His defensive accolades alone set him apart, but combined with his elite playmaking and scoring ability, he leaves a legacy as one of the most complete and impactful point guards to ever wear the orange and white.
His journey to the NBA is now eagerly anticipated. While he was undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, he signed with the Detroit Pistons and is set to play in the NBA Summer League, giving him an immediate opportunity to showcase his unique skillset at the next level. His grit, vision, and defensive intensity are qualities that translate well to the professional game, and many believe he has the potential to carve out a successful NBA career.
For the University of Tennessee and its passionate fanbase, Zakai Zeigler’s 2024-2025 season will be remembered as a spectacular display of individual brilliance and team success. He embodied the spirit of the Volunteers, playing with heart, hustle, and an unyielding will to win. His well-deserved recognition with the Bob Cousy Award and the Midseason Wooden Award solidifies his place as one of college basketball’s truly dominant forces this past season.
