Zakai Zeigler needed three steals before Wednesday’s game against Georgia to tie former teammate Santiago Vescovi’s career steals record at Tennessee.
The Long Island native went above and beyond on Wednesday night in Knoxville.
With a career-high six steals against the Bulldogs, Zeigler has broken the steals record just one season after Vescovi earned it.
“No, not really,” Zeigler said on if there was any friendly banter between him and Vescovi leading up to the record. “I found out last night that I was pretty close to it. But last year, once Santi got it, I was happy for him. We were happy about it. Just me and him personally, and I was like, ‘Just letting you know I’m coming for that.’ But I know he’s happy for me on the back end.”
Vescovi ended his Tennessee career with 212 steals in 149 games while Zeigler now has 215 steals in 118 games. Zeigler broke the record just 296 days after Vescovi earned it.
Zeigler and Vescovi spent three seasons together at Tennessee from 2021 to 2024 before Vescovi’s graduation from the program at the end of last season. The two helped lead Tennessee to tournament appearances in all three years, two trips to the Sweet 16, one trip to the Elite 8, an SEC Tournament championship, and an SEC regular season championship.
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Here’s a look at Tennessee’s all-time career steals list:
1. Zakai Zeigler – 215 (ongoing)
2. Santiago Vescovi – 212
3. Vincent Yarbrough – 211
4. C.J. Watson – 198
5. Chris Lofton – 193
6. JaJuan Smith, Josiah-Jordan James – 183
8. Fred Jenkins – 177
9. Tyrone Beaman – 173
10. Dane Bradshaw – 162
Here’s a list of the other notable all-time program marks that Zeigler is chasing in his senior season on Rocky Top:
Assists:
1. Johnny Darden – 715
2. Zakai Zeigler – 600
Three-Point Field Goals
7. Jon Higgins – 209
8. Zakai Zeigler – 198
Steal Percentage
1. Jahmai Mashack – 4.0
2. Zakai Zeigler – 3.8
Win Shares
7. Josiah-Jordan James – 15.1
8. Zakai Zeigler – 14.4
