KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee men's basketball has a new senior duo stepping up this season. Senior guards Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler immediately took over as leaders once Tennessee ended its season with an Elite 8 loss to Purdue.
During the 2023-2024 season, VFLs Santiago Vescovi and Josiah Jordan James were what head coach Rick Barnes called "player coaches." Mashack and Zeigler have seamlessly stepped into those roles and are excited about teaching new players how Barnes likes to run his program.
"It's been something that we've embraced," said Mashack. "It's something we kind of do with a chip on our shoulder, especially with a team like this with people who just want to play and play hard."
Mashack and Zeigler are also trying to create those off-the-court bonds with the younger players and transfers, hoping those relationships will translate on the court when the season starts.
"The main thing that Jo and Santi did a good job of was really bringing the team close together off the court, and that helps playing on the court," said Mashack. "That's something Zakai and I really want to do."
The rest of the team is thankful to have this duo leading the charge this season.
"They flew right into that role," said sophomore forward J.P. Estrella. "The second our season was over, we all had a meeting, and those two guys led that meeting. This whole team 100% believes in what they say because they know exactly what to do."
Sophomore guard Cameron Carr is excited to have another duo emulate how Vescovi and James helped him adjust when he first got to Tennessee as a freshman.
"Man, I'm blessed to have them be the veterans they are," said Carr. "And the last two years, I've had great veterans around me that have shown me and paved a really good path for everybody. But those two specifically this year are huge for us."
