American basketball player Zakai Zeigler has an estimated net worth ranging between $600,000 and $1 million. The point guard for the Tennessee Volunteers has impressed fans with his quick play and strong performances since he first stepped onto the court in 2021.

Off the court, Zeigler is also growing his wealth through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. So, what is his net worth in 2025? Let’s take a closer look.

Zakai Zeigler Bio

Field	Details
First Name	Zakai
Last Name	Zeigler
Full Name	Zakai Za’Miek Zeigler
Date of Birth	August 2, 2002
Age	22
Birth Place	Long Island, New York, U.S.
Residence	Long Island, New York
Country	United States
Profession	Basketball Player
Education	University of Tennessee
Father	Not specified
Mother	Charmane Zeigler
Nationality	American
Siblings	Armoni Zeigler (brother)
Brother	Armoni Zeigler
Religion	Not specified
Spouse	Unmarried
Horoscope	Not specified
Weight	160 lbs (72 kg)
Height	5’9″ (175 cm)
Net Worth	Between $600,000 and $1 million
Category	Professional Basketball
Current Team	Nanterre 92
Position	Point Guard
Jersey Number	5
Years Active	2021–present
Draft	Not applicable (college player)
Drafted By	Undrafted
Previous Teams	2021–present
Awards	SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2024); USBWA Third Team All-American (2025); Tennessee all-time leader in assists (747) and steals (251); SEC single-season assists record (2024-25)
Instagram	85.2K followers (@realzakaiz)

What is Zakai Zeigler’s Net Worth in 2026?

Zakai Zeigler’s net worth is currently estimated between $600,000 and $1 Million. This wealth is largely the result of his massive NIL success at Tennessee rather than his current rookie salary.

Before turning pro, Zeigler was at the center of a high-profile eligibility battle where his camp argued that a fifth year of college eligibility was worth over $2 million in potential earnings.

While he didn’t secure that full $2M windfall for a final college season, the valuation proved just how marketable he was. His current wealth is a mix of those retained NIL earnings and his new salary with Nanterre 92 in France.

What is Zakai Zeigler’s Salary as a Professional Player?

After the 2025 NBA Draft process saw him go undrafted. He signed with Nanterre 92 in the French LNB Pro A league. While exact contract details in Europe are rarely public, rookie import guards in this tier typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 USD net (tax-free in many arrangements), plus housing and a car.

It’s a pay cut compared to his peak NIL valuation, but it’s the start of a grind that could see him double that salary within two years if he performs well or cracks a EuroLeague roster.

Zakai Zeigler’s Journey to Stardom

Zakai’s story began in Long Island, New York. He was passionate about basketball early on and worked hard to improve. In high school, he made a long daily commute of four hours to attend Immaculate Conception High School in New Jersey. There, he stood out with an average of 20.3 points and 4.6 assists per game, which caught the attention of college scouts.

Zeigler’s breakthrough came at the Peach Jam tournament in 2021. His strong showing led to several scholarship offers, including one from the University of Tennessee. He chose to play for the Volunteers, starting a successful college career.

At Tennessee, Zeigler made an immediate impact. In his freshman season, he averaged 8.8 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. In his sophomore year, his numbers improved to 10.7 points and 5.4 assists per game, but an ACL injury cut his season short. Zeigler came back strong in his junior year, winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award while averaging 11.8 points and 6.1 assists per game. In his senior year, he leads the team with 11.9 points, 7.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, continuing his rise as one of Tennessee’s best players.

In the 2024-25 season, Ziegler averaged 13.6 points, 7.4 assists, 2.9 boards, and 1.9 steals per game. This got him SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, plus the Tennessee Sportswriters Association Player of the Year award.

Career Highlights:

• SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
• First-team All-SEC (2024)
• Second-team All-SEC (2023)
• Three-time SEC All-Defensive Team (2022–2024)
• SEC All-Freshman Team (2022)
• Set Tennessee program record for career steals
• Became second player in Tennessee history to reach 600 career assists

Zakai Zeigler’s NIL Deals

Zakai Zeigler’s most notable NIL deals include national partnerships with Fortnite, RITZ Crackers, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. He has partnered with several major brands to boost his income.

Key NIL Deals:

• Fortnite and Epic Games: In June 2022, Zeigler signed a deal with Fortnite, a popular video game, which allowed him to reach a younger audience.
• RITZ Crackers: In March 2024, Zeigler joined a national campaign for RITZ Crackers, tying into March Madness excitement.
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Zeigler expanded his deals to include Freddy’s, a fast-food chain, in March 2024.
• The Dairy Alliance: In March 2023, Zeigler promoted dairy products in a regional campaign with The Dairy Alliance.
• Other Partners: He has also worked with brands like Krystal, The Bed Store, and Dick’s House of Sport.

Although the financial details of these deals are not public, it is clear that Zeigler is earning a significant income from his NIL contracts. His popularity and smart brand partnerships suggest his NIL earnings are high.

Zakai Zeigler’s Philanthropy

Zeigler is also known for his charitable work. He uses his platform to give back to the community in several ways.

• Child Advocacy Center: Zeigler has spoken at events to inspire young people to overcome challenges.
• School Visits: He often visits local schools, acting as a positive role model.
• GoFundMe Campaign: In 2022, when his family’s home was destroyed in a fire, the Tennessee community raised over $350,000 to help.

Zeigler’s philanthropic efforts add to his positive image, which could also boost his brand and career in the long run.

Also Read- Donovan Mitchell Net Worth in 2025: Salary, Contract, and More

What brands has Zakai Zeigler partnered with?

Zeigler’s community impact made him a safe bet for family-friendly brands. His list includes:

• RITZ Crackers (NIL tournament campaigns)
• The Players’ Lounge
• Bojangles

Beyond the shoe deals and collectives, he showed savvy marketing skills (source).

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