{"id":176470,"date":"2025-07-17T08:17:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T08:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/176470\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T08:17:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T08:17:13","slug":"nba-coach-drops-major-compliment-on-tennessees-vfls-in-the-nba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/176470\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Coach Drops Major Compliment on Tennessee’s VFLs in the NBA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\"Zakai<\/p>\n

<\/a>Zakai Zeigler (5) warms-up prior to a NCAA Tournament game against Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium. Friday, March 28, 2025. Cole Moore\/RTI<\/p>\n

As Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes prepares for his 11th year with the Volunteers, he recently took some time to catch up with Andy Katz on The Sideline podcast.<\/p>\n

Barnes has the pleasure of watching nine of his former Tennessee players compete in the NBA Summer League this month, from Jaden Spring with the Utah Jazz to Dalton Knecht with the Los Angeles Lakers, and many more.<\/p>\n

Throughout his career, Barnes has emphasized toughness and conditioning on the court with his players. While speaking with Katz, Barnes brought up a recent conversation that shows just how that hard work is paying off at the next level.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe the most important thing is being in elite shape,\u201d Barnes said, referencing his coaching style with his former players. \u201cYou talk about Jahmai Mashack, Zakai Zeigler. I mean, people called us about \u2019em. I got a text today from a guy that\u2019s up in Detroit and he said to me, \u2018I\u2019m up here, I was invited as a guest coach.\u2019 He said, \u2018Without question, your two guys (Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier) are in better shape than anybody here.\u2019 And I think it\u2019s an everyday thing, I think that\u2019s what we try to get done every day, whatever we do we\u2019re going to do it hard. As a staff, but it starts with the players. Because if we could do it for one, we would do it for all of them, but we can\u2019t because not all of them are built the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n

More From RTI:\u00a0Tennessee Basketball\u2019s Jahmai Mashack Continues to Build Case to Make Grizzlies Roster<\/a><\/p>\n

Zeigler and Lanier\u2019s hustle and conditioning are clearly being noticed during their short time with the Pistons so far. Lanier, a starter, is third in minutes per game, while Zeigler is sixth in minutes coming off the bench. Lanier is averaging 12.0 points per game while Zeigler is at 7.5 PPG.<\/p>\n

As media members, we get chances all throughout the season to see just how hard Tennessee\u2019s players go on the practice court to be in shape for gameday. It\u2019s not just talk, but real work inside Tennessee\u2019s DNA to outlast and outwork the competition on the court.<\/p>\n

Check out the full interview clip below:<\/p>\n

Rick Barnes on The Sideline with @TheAndyKatz<\/a> \u203c\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Listen to the full episode \u2013 link in bio or anywhere you get your podcasts \ud83c\udfa7 pic.twitter.com\/xxQPHdxyWJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Andy Katz (@SidelinewithAK) July 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t