BREAKING: Federal Judge Denies Zakai Zeigler’s Request for Fifth Year Eligibility Amid Lawsuit Against NCAA
In a major setback for Tennessee Volunteers basketball star Zakai Zeigler, a federal judge has officially denied his request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed him to compete in a fifth year of NCAA eligibility while his ongoing lawsuit against the NCAA proceeds through the courts.
Zeigler, who became one of the most beloved and high-impact players in Tennessee basketball in recent years, filed a legal complaint challenging the NCAA’s decision to deny him a medical hardship waiver. The waiver would have granted him an additional season of eligibility due to time lost to injury and extenuating circumstances. His legal team argued that the NCAA had not applied its criteria consistently or fairly, prompting the request for immediate relief via a preliminary injunction.
But in a ruling that sent shockwaves through Vol Nation, the federal judge stated that Zeigler had not met the legal threshold for injunctive relief, particularly on the grounds of irreparable harm and likelihood of success on the merits of the case. This means Zeigler will not be permitted to suit up for the Volunteers during the 2025–2026 season, barring a stunning reversal or accelerated legal win.
Fans, teammates, and coaches have rallied behind Zeigler throughout the ordeal, citing his leadership, perseverance, and the pivotal role he played in Tennessee’s recent tournament runs. Head Coach Rick Barnes expressed “deep disappointment” in the ruling but vowed to support Zakai “every step of the way.”
While this ruling is a blow to Zeigler’s hopes of a final collegiate chapter, his fight is far from over. The lawsuit continues, and so does the conversation around NCAA fairness and athlete rights in the evolving college sports landscape.
