The hearing for Zakai Zeigler, as he seeks a preliminary injunction that would give him an extra year of college eligibility, is scheduled for June 6.
Zeigler filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on May 20, claiming the college sports governing body was causing him irreparable harm by not letting him play a fifth season of college basketball. The NCAA’s bylaws allow college athletes to play four seasons in five years.
The lawsuit states that Zeigler could make between $2 and $4 million playing college basketball next season according to an estimate from Spyre Sports. Given the going rate for top point guards in the transfer portal this offseason, the estimation is realistic.
During a storied career at Tennessee, Zeigler played four seasons in four years and broke both program and SEC records. Part of Zeigler’s argument is that the NCAA is limiting his earnings because he did not redshirt a season.
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Swirling around the pending House Settlement has been discussion about the NCAA switching to a model that eliminates redshirts and gives players five seasons of eligibility. Zeigler’s lawsuit looks to force the issues with the proposal and would almost certainly give all fourth-year seniors from the 2024-25 season an extra-year of eligibility.
The case also argues that the NCAA’s academic requirements acknowledge that the average student athlete graduates in over four years making the arbitrary Four-Seasons rules hypocritical. Zeigler graduated earlier this month.
Zeigler was a four-year contributor and three-year starter for Tennessee basketball. A two-time All-SEC selection and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, multiple outlets named Zeigler a Third Team All-American for his play during the 2024-25 season.
In his senior season, Zeigler averaged 13.6 points and 7.4 assists per game and led Tennessee to the Elite Eight for the second straight season. Zeigler was also a key part of Tennessee winning the 2024 SEC Regular-Season Championship.
