Tennessee basketball fans are stunned after point guard Zakai Zeigler was absent from Thursday’s practice, with multiple sources now confirming he was spotted at a downtown Nashville hotel—allegedly in a closed-door meeting with NBA agent Marcus King. The development has sent shockwaves through the Vols community, as Zeigler is expected to be the emotional and strategic leader of next season’s team.
Head coach Rick Barnes, known for his discipline and old-school values, reportedly confronted Zeigler afterward and was described by one source as “visibly furious.” Though the team publicly cited “personal reasons” for Zeigler’s absence, several teammates have hinted at internal tension, suggesting he’s weighing early entry into the NBA Draft despite previous statements about “unfinished business.”
What’s worse, Zeigler was later seen posing for a photo in front of the agent’s blacked-out SUV—sending social media into chaos. “We lost Kennedy Chandler and now maybe Zeigler too? This can’t be real,” one Twitter user wrote.
While Zeigler remains mum, insiders believe he’s trying to secure a lucrative NIL representation deal with NBA perks. The bigger question: Will Rick Barnes forgive what looks like a major breach of team protocol?
The Vols’ March dreams may be unraveling in May.
