Point guard Zakai Zeigler will make his college decision Friday after visiting Tennessee earlier this week.
Zeigler is a Bronx, New York native that’s currently in the class of 2022 but could reclassify into the 2021 class and join Tennessee’s third ranked signing class.
Zeigler has also visited Minnesota this month.
The 5-foot-10 point guard is unranked by 247sports composite rankings and has flown under the radar in the 2022 class. Zeigler caught Tennessee’s coach’s eyes last month at Nike’s Peach Jam tournament in Georgia.
The University of Tennessee started classes on Aug. 18 so Zeigler would have to enroll quickly in classes if he wants to reclassify into the 2021 class.
Tennessee’s highly ranked signing class currently has six signees including two five-stars, two-four stars and two three-stars. A commitment from Zeigler would give Tennessee a massive seven person signing class, over half the size of the 13 scholarships division one basketball teams receive.
Rick Barnes’ Vols have struggled at the point guard spot the last two seasons after Lamonte Turner had season ending shoulder surgery in December of 2019.
Tennessee shouldn’t have that problem this season after signing the nation’s top prep point guard Kennedy Chandler.
With Chandler a potential one-and-done college player, adding Zeigler would give Tennessee another true point guard to build into the future with.
While consistent playing time for Zeigler seems unlikely this season, the Vols have no true backup point guard and if Zeigler plays above his head there is room for opportunity.
Even if the reclassifying guard couldn’t earn playing time as a young freshman, Zeigler’s commitment would be important as Barnes builds his program years in advance.
Currently, Tennessee’s only commit in the 2022 signing class in Knoxville point guard B.J. Edwards.
