Zakai Zeigler sends powerful message following season-ending ACL injury

Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler sent a message to his fans on social media following his torn ACL diagnosis, letting fans know he’s okay and is focused on the bigger picture.

“It’s all a part of God’s plan. Minor setback for a Major comeback,” Zeigler tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

The Tennessee PG left during the first half of the Volunteers’ game against Arkansas on Tuesday. Zeigler’s knee buckled leaving him in a great deal of pain, as he exited the game with the help from team trainers not able to put weight on his left leg.

Ziegler finished with two points and an assist in three minutes on the court. Even without him, Tennessee ended up holding on to defeat the Razorbacks 75-57 in impressive fashion to improve to 22-8 on the season.

Rick Barnes discusses the impact of losing Zakai Zeigler to injury

Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler left the first half and never returned in Tuesday’s game versus Arkansas after suffering a knee injury. Zeigler’s knee buckled leaving him in a great deal of pain, as he exited the game with the help from team trainers not able to put weight on his left leg. Head coach Rick Barnes spoke on the injury of his floor general following the game.

“We all hurt for Zakai, we know that he’s hurt, for him to stay down he’s hurt,” Barnes said. “And I think we all felt that, but yet the maturity with our senior class I think took over the game, in terms of okay this is what we’ve got to go do it.”

The Vols were still able to secure a 75-57 win over the Razorbacks without Zeigler, but may have to do so for the remainder of their games. The final diagnosis has not come out on Zeigler, but the injury seems serious according to Barnes, as he was asked if his team played more inspired follow the injury to one of their leaders.

“I don’t know if that were the case Jimmy, I just know that they know me, like I knew that if he stayed down that long he’s hurt. That’s what I know they know, because they know that he pops right back up every single time when he goes down. And I think they knew it was serious, I do, but I think the focus, the emotion didn’t change. I thought they had a great demeanor about themselves, I think we’ve had a great demeanor really for all the games this year,” Barnes said.