Why Johnny Darden wanted to see Zakai Zeigler set Tennessee basketball assists record
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Zakai Zeigler rounded the tunnel at Rupp Arena and veered toward the Tennessee basketball locker room Thursday.
He was stopped before he got there.
Johnny Darden waited to congratulate Zeigler after watching the Vols point guard break his assists record that stood for 45 years.
“He’s a true point guard,” Darden said. “I have not seen a true point guard in a long time.”
Zeigler’s second assist against Wofford was the 716th of his career to pass Darden’s record of 715, which he achieved in his terrific career from 1975-79. The senior guard has 726 after he finished with 12 assists in No. 2 seed Tennessee’s 77-62 win against No. 15 seed Wofford in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The Vols (28-7) play No. 7 seed UCLA (23-10) on Saturday in the second round with time and TV designation to be announced.
Johnny Darden says Zakai Zeigler is the best point guard in Tennessee history
Darden thought his record might stand the test of time when his career ended. He accepted it would eventually fall as college basketball seasons got longer.
He expected it would Zeigler as he started watching the speedy guard play.
“I knew he had it in him,” Darden said. “There is still a lot more out there. His leadership is great. I love the way he controls the game.”
Darden, who had 715 assists in 109 games, has been impressed by Zeigler for four seasons at Tennessee. He praised the way Zeigler sees the floor and shoots the ball. Above all, he loves the way Zeigler leads the team and operates in cohesion with coach Rick Barnes. He sees Zeigler existing with Barnes the way he existed with coach Ray Mears.
He and Rodney Woods, another great Vols point guard, came to a game earlier this season. They joked then that Zeigler was coming for both of their records.
Zeigler broke Woods’ record of 227 assists in a season against Texas in the SEC tournament quarterfinals on March 14. Woods’ record stood since the 1974-75 season.
Darden’s fell Thursday to the player he says is the best point guard in Tennessee history.
“It held up for a good while but it was a matter of time,” Darden said. “I am so glad he was able to do it.”
Johnny Darden came to see Zakai Zeigler break his assists record at Rupp Arena
Zeigler ran into Darden’s daughter, Jondra, at a Vols football game in the fall. She told Zeigler that Darden would be there when he broke the record.
“My family had been keeping up with it,” Darden said. “They were telling me this and that. I was like, ‘Y’all he is going to break it. It is just a matter of time.’ ”
Zeigler entered the season needing 243 assists to break Darden’s mark. He got within one of matching the record in the SEC tournament, setting up Thursday’s trip as Darden made good on the promise to be on hand.
Darden, who stills lives in his hometown of Springfield, Tennessee, flew in from Chicago with his son-in-law, Josh Davis, and his granddaughter. He watched as Zeigler connected with Jahmai Mashack for a 3-pointer to open the game against Wofford (19-16) and tie his record. Zeigler found Chaz Lanier for a 3-pointer to establish the new record at the 17:01 mark in the first half.
Darden waited down the tunnel after the game to greet Zeigler. He congratulated him, wished him well and told him he wants to see him again soon.
“I told him I was looking forward to seeing him in the Final Four,” Darden said. “I am going to be there.”
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Zakai Zeigler: Johnny Darden on hand for Tennessee assists record
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