Zeigler, Mashack Up For Defensive Player Of The Year

Image: Eakin Howard

By Cody McClure

Tennessee Basketball guards Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler were announced as selections for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List on Wednesday.

There are a total of 15 players on the list announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club/Naismith Awards.

Tennessee has the only teammate duo.

Per a UTsports.com release, Mashack ranks eighth nationally with an 88.9 defensive rating and No. 16 with 1.8 defensive win shares.

“He is averaging 2.0 steals per game and has notched multiple takeaways in 13 of 22 outings this year, including three-plus in seven and four-plus in four.”

Zeigler averages over two steals per game and has multiple steals in 13 of 21 games. He’s the all-time steals leader in Tennessee history and has been Watch List choice three years in a row.