‘Bet On Me’ … The Zakai Zeigler Story Is Now Live On YouTube

By Garrett Armbrust

Last night Tennessee Athletics premiered the Zakai Zeigler documentary, “Bet On Me.”

The documentary highlighted the VFL’s career from an under recruited high school prospect to one of the most decorated players in UT history.

Zakai struggled to pick up high level offers as an undersized guard in high school until Rick Barnes found him his senior season at the Nike Peach Jam tournament. Barnes said, “With Kennedy Chandler coming in and the fact that he wants to be one and done why don’t we find a point guard.”

That undersized point guard ended his Tennessee career as a 3x all-SEC player and 4x SEC all-defensive player.

Zeigler not only became one of the most talented UT basketball players but one of the most beloved UT players by the fans.

Vol Nation showed their love to the Zeigler family after their apartment caught on fire and the family lost everything. With donations piling in his family was able to relocate to Knoxville.

Zeigler couldn’t believe the support he received and said, “I was just so thankful and blessed.”

Once again faced with adversity after tearing his ACL Zakai bounced back to play his best basketball of his career post injury.

Right after the tear he said, “I just smirked and shook my head and was like, I just got to get through it. I can’t go back in time and change it.”

His expected recovery time was supposed to be a year. However, he was back on the court in nine months.

In Zakai’s first game back on opening night of the 2023-24 season, Josiah-Jordan James said, “I remember I was so excited for that day, because we all knew what was coming and he was really nervous… I’ve never seen him that nervous.”

That season Zakai led the Vols to their deepest run in the NCAA Tournament in program history, reaching the Elite Eight.

Zeigler once again was the leader of this past season’s team that once again reached the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season.

After their loss to Houston Zakai said, “All I did was ask coach Barnes for a chance and he gave it to me. The mark that I wouldn’t even say I left on Tennessee, but the mark they left on me and my family… they changed our lives.”

Barnes even stated, “I wish I could bottle up his DNA and disperse it to everyone.”

James at the end of the documentary said, “He’s one of one and when he gets determined to do something he’s going to do it.”

With it all set and done now, Zakai leaves the UT basketball program as one of the best players ever and possibly the most beloved by Vol fans.