Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler’s family moved into a new home in Knoxville Friday, Zeigler shared on his Instagram with others bringing the video to Twitter.
If you do nothing today, watch Tennessee Point Guard Zakai Ziegler and his family move into their home in Knoxville, Tennessee.
This family has been through a lot, and it is so awesome to see VolNation do just a little bit to help out.
Just an awesome story all the way around. pic.twitter.com/sOQ6raVVh5
— @TorresOnTennessee (@TorresontheVols) July 8, 2022
Zeigler had an eventful and strenuous road to Knoxville that included him nearly giving up basketball before eventually earning a Tennessee offer the summer following his high school graduation.
Once he arrived in Knoxville, Zeigler turned heads on his way to earning SEC All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman team honors. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 8.8 points and 2.7 assists per game as the Vols’ spark plug off the bench.
The undersized point guard shined with 18-point performances in wins over North Carolina and South Carolina and provided clutch play after clutch play in Tennessee’s strong 2021-22 season.
But even after making it in the big time, adversity struck Zeigler and his family. The night Zeigler scored 13 points and Tennessee knocked off No. 3 Auburn, the Zeigler family home in Long Island, New York burned to the ground.
Zeigler’s mother and special-needs nephew were left homeless as Zakai continued on in his freshman season. That’s where Vol nation stepped in. The University of Tennessee set up an above NCAA board GoFundMe to raise money for the Zeigler family. In short order, people raised $363,027 for the family in need.
“It meant everything,” Zeigler said of the support in March. “I didn’t even expect the support to be that much. I knew everybody had love for me, but after that, it just blew me and my family away. Nothing but great words for Vol Nation.”
The New York native mentioned at the time that his mother was exploring the idea of moving to Knoxville to be closer to him and confirmed that news on Friday.
Zeigler filmed a livestream on his Instagram page as his family moved into the Knoxville house and then posted a mash up video as an individual post which was later shared on Twitter.
The Vols’ point guard also took to Twitter to offer additional thanks to Tennessee fans that stepped up to help his family.
Just an appreciation post but Thank You Vol Nation for everything you have done for my family and I🧡 #VFL
— Zakai Zeigler (@Realzakaiz) July 8, 2022
