Former Tennessee stars Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier concluded their play with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Summer League Saturday night as the San Antonio Spurs knocked off the Pistons 96-84.
But despite the losing effort, both Zeigler and Lanier turned in strong performances to conclude the summer. Lanier scored 11 points on four-of-seven shooting from the field while adding a rebound and an assist. Zeigler added six points on one-of-three shooting and a summer league-high five assists for the former Vol point guard.
Two of Zeigler’s assists were familiar sights for Tennessee fans with the point guard finding Lanier for open three-pointers.
Detroit finished with a 3-2 record in the NBA Summer League while both Zeigler and Lanier turned in strong performances in the five games. Lanier averaged 10.4 points per game despite shooting just 34% from three-point range. The shooting guard added 2.2 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game. Zeigler wasn’t far behind Lanier, averaging nine points per game as well as three assists and 0.8 steals per game.
More From RTI: Lady Vols Forward Zee Spearman to Play for USA Basketball in FIBA Tournament
With the summer league over, the more important questions on what rosters the two will make next season begins. Lanier’s situation is more solidified. The Pistons drafted him early in the second round and signed him to a relatively significant contract.
Lanier will, at the least, earn a two-way contract that will see him play both for Detroit and its G-League team next season. Zeigler’s situation is much more up in the air. Detroit only signed Zeigler to a summer league contract and has no more team control.
Zeigler performed well enough in the summer league to at least earn a G-League roster invite somewhere, whether that be Detroit or elsewhere. He could also potentially receive a two-way contract.
The NBA Summer League comes to a close Sunday with Jahmai Mashack and the Memphis Grizzlies playing their final game at 8 p.m. ET against the Los Angeles Clippers.
