Following back-to-back standout performances last week, Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler has been named SEC Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Monday.
In Tennessee’s wins over Texas A&M and South Carolina last week, Zeigler averaged 16.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game while hitting six total 3-pointers.
On Tuesday against Texas A&M, Zeigler scored 14 points, dished three assists and had an ankle-breaking crossover that landed at No. 2 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.
Just four days later on Saturday at South Carolina, Zeigler was held scoreless in the first half before scoring a career-high-tying 18 points all in the second half. In the second half alone, Zeigler was 6-for-9 shooting, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.
The SEC Sixth Man of the Year candidate has emerged as a force for the Vols in SEC play. Zeigler is averaging 13.8 points per game over his last four games and has scored in double figures in seven of Tennessee’s 10 SEC games.
Zeigler is Tennessee’s third-leading scorer in SEC play, averaging 9.4 points per game.
The Long Island, New York, native is the second Tennessee freshman to receive SEC Freshman of the Week honors this season. He joins fellow guard Kennedy Chandler, who did so on Nov. 15.
Zeigler and the Vols are back in action Wednesday night with a road matchup against Mississippi State. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
-UT Athletics
