Former VFL Standout Joins French Professional Ranks
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
After an impressive Summer League debut, a familiar face to Vol hoops fans is set to take his talents overseas.
The former two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year Zakai Zeigler has officially signed with Nanterre 92, a high-level club in France’s LNB Élite league, marking the start of Zeigler’s professional journey.
Going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Zeigler delivered a strong Summer League showing with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 assists across four games while shooting over 45% from three. His best outing came against the Miami Heat, where he posted 15 points and four assists.
The Long Island native leaves Rocky Top as the program’s all-time leader in assists (747) and steals (251), while also becoming the first player in SEC history to earn All-Defensive honors in four separate seasons.
Now, Zakai joins a Nanterre 92 squad with a strong track record of developing NBA talent, producing Victor Wembanyama– who spent three years with the club and French standout Evan Fournier.
