KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Zakai Zeigler, a Tennessee basketball player, has decided not to pursue his request for a federal judge to permit him a fifth season of Division I basketball within five years, though his ongoing legal battle against the NCAA continues, as stated by his legal team on Tuesday.
Earlier, Zeigler faced a setback when a judge rejected his appeal to return to the Tennessee Volunteers through a preliminary injunction. Although he contested this decision, his legal representatives have now decided to retract this appeal voluntarily.
“We initially wished to see Zakai back in the familiar orange and white jersey, but he is looking forward with positivity and determination as he embarks on the next phase of his basketball journey,” expressed the law firm Litson PLLC in their announcement. “Our commitment to pursuing his lawsuit in the trial court remains steadfast, as the central legal disputes persist.”
Despite not being selected in the recent NBA draft, Zeigler attracted interest from the Detroit Pistons, according to ESPN, and has been enlisted to participate with their Summer League team.
Zeigler is among several college athletes challenging the NCAA’s eligibility regulations. The athletes argue that the restriction limiting them to four playing seasons within a five-year timeframe is a monopolistic policy that unfairly inhibits their potential to earn from their name, image, and likeness rights. Zeigler’s lawsuit claims that another year playing for Tennessee could have brought him earnings between $2 million and $4 million.