
Former Tennessee Standouts Join Spurs for Summer League Debut
Three Volunteers alumni head to the California Classic as the NBA Summer League opens this weekend.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Zakai Zeigler across Basketball.

Three Volunteers alumni head to the California Classic as the NBA Summer League opens this weekend.

Zakai Zeigler, a standout for the Tennessee Volunteers, is set to debut with the San Antonio Spurs in the summer league after a season in France, joining a group of former Volunteers seeking new opportunities.

After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, Tobe Awaka has inked a two‑way contract with the Chicago Bulls. The 6‑foot‑8 forward, who honed his game under Rick Barnes at Tennessee and later at Arizona, will get his first taste of NBA action during the Summer League and training camp.

The first media‑open summer practice revealed a work‑in‑progress roster, notable individual performances and the coaching staff’s early assessments.

Allan Houston, a Tennessee basketball icon, was in San Antonio as the New York Knicks secured their first NBA championship in 27 years, a moment that intertwines his playing legacy, family heritage, and ongoing impact on the sport.

The Volunteers will welcome the Seminoles to Knoxville on December 1, seeking revenge for a 2019 loss while building on a recent surge of strong performances.

The Vols will host Florida State in the ACC‑SEC Challenge, restart home‑and‑home series with Michigan State and Purdue, and open the Players Era Festival against Maryland in Las Vegas. New coach Justin Gainey will test the team against North Carolina State, while recent memories of close battles with Syracuse linger.

Former Tennessee basketball standout Zakai Zeigler is set to host a two‑session youth camp in Knoxville on August 1, 2026, blending his NBA Summer League experience with a commitment to developing the next generation of talent.
A record seven players arrive via the transfer portal, marking a dramatic shift in Tennessee's recruitment strategy and promising a new era of competition.