Zakai Zeigler Named SEC Defensive Player of the Year Again

Zakai Zeigler, the University of Tennessee men's basketball point guard, has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, making history as the first player to achieve four All-Defensive Team selections. Zeigler also earned First Team All-SEC honors, joining only two others as a multiple-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award. He led the Vols' top-ranked defense with an impressive average of 1.9 steals per game and contributed 13.1 points and 7.5 assists per game this season. Additionally, Chaz Lanier was recognized as the SEC Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-SEC, while Jahmai Mashack joined Zeigler on the All-Defensive Team. The Vols finished the regular season with a strong 25-6 record and are set to begin postseason play in the SEC Tournament. Zeigler is also a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, highlighting his exceptional performance this season.