Zakai Zeigler returns for Tennessee basketball vs Kentucky after right knee injury

Posted by author January 29, 2025 Basketball

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Zakai Zeigler returned to Tennessee basketball‘s game against Kentucky to start the second half after suffering a right knee injury late before halftime Tuesday.

The Vols guard drove to the hoop and appeared to hyperextend his right knee. He hopped up and headed immediately for the Tennessee bench, hobbling off the court and down the tunnel. The senior had two points points, two rebounds and three assists when he departed with 2:17 to play before halftime.

Zeigler averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 assists this season entering Tuesday, while leading Tennessee to the No. 1 ranking for a five-week stretch.

Zeigler suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in February 2023 against Arkansas.

Zakai Zeigler suffers apparent knee injury for Tennessee vs Kentucky

Zeigler was fouled on the play by Kentucky guard Kobe Brea. Jahmai Mashack entered the game, while the Wildcats chose Felix Okpara to shoot the free throws for Zeigler. He missed both, but he got the rebound off his second miss and Jordan Gainey made a 3-pointer.

Mashack made a pair of free throws and Chaz Lanier hit a 3-pointer to give Tennessee a 33-30 lead, its first of the game.

Zeigler set the Tennessee record for career steals earlier this season. He got to 213 steals with a six-steal game against Georgia on Jan. 15 to break Santiago Vescovi’s record of 212.

Rick Barnes was worried about Zeigler at halftime after injury

Vols coach Rick Barnes was concerned about Zeigler’s injury at halftime, he told ESPN.

“I don’t know for him to run off the court it worries me because I have never seen him do that,” Barnes said. “I would expect him to bounce right back up (when he hit the floor). It’s something for him to do that. I’m worried about it.”

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.