Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Zakai Zeigler
Position: Guard
College: Tennessee
Class: Senior
Height/Weight: 5'9", 171 lbs
Birthdate: August 2, 2002
High School: Our Saviour Lutheran (NY)
Player Overview
Zakai Zeigler is a tenacious, high-energy guard known for his defensive prowess, poise, and leadership. Despite being undersized at 5'9", he has made a name for himself as a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball. His quick hands, lateral speed, and relentless motor allow him to disrupt opposing ball handlers and pressure full court.
Offensively, Zeigler is a smart, composed floor general who rarely gets rattled, even in high-pressure situations. He has a quick first step and can get into the paint, but his lack of size limits his ability to finish at the rim. His outside shooting remains inconsistent, which is a key area for improvement. To truly carve out an NBA role, he must develop his outside shooting and add more diversity to his finishing package.
"Unfortunately, he’s only 5'9", which is a major roadblock for NBA opportunities. But Zeigler has earned my respect—he’s the straw that stirs the drink for Rick Barnes’ Tennessee team. He’ll find success at some level, one way or another." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
Elite On-Ball Defender: Disruptive defender with quick hands and strong lateral movement.
Poised & Experienced: Handles pressure well and plays with confidence.
Quick First Step: Can get into the paint and create advantages.
High Basketball IQ: Makes smart decisions as a lead guard.
Toughness & Mentality: Plays with a chip on his shoulder and never backs down from a challenge.
Concerns
Size & Matchups: At 5'9", he will face major defensive challenges in the NBA.
Finishing at the Rim: Struggles to finish over bigger defenders.
Shooting Consistency: Needs to become a reliable perimeter shooter to compensate for his size.
Offensive Impact: Lacks a diverse scoring package and is not yet a significant threat off the dribble.
Questions
Can he become an elite shooter to maximize his NBA chances?
Will his defensive impact translate against bigger, stronger NBA guards?
How can he improve his offensive versatility to avoid being a liability on that end?
Bottom Line
Zakai Zeigler is a high-energy, defensive-minded guard who thrives on disrupting opponents and playing with poise. His tenacity and leadership make him a valuable presence on any team, but his lack of size and offensive limitations create challenges at the next level. If he can become a more consistent outside shooter and improve his finishing, he has the potential to prove doubters wrong and carve out a role as a high-energy backup guard in the NBA.