KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — University of Tennessee basketball star Zakai Zeigler is suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association in an effort to extend his career on Rocky Top for an additional season.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court seeks to allow Zeigler to play a fifth season at Tennessee while pursuing a graduate degree. It alleges that the NCAA's rule permitting only four season of competition with the five-year eligibility window constitutes an illegal restraint of trade in violation of state and federal antitrust law.

Attorneys representing Zeigler have requested a preliminary injunction to allow Zeigler to suit up for the 2025-2026 season.

Current NCAA rules allow athletes four years of competition in a five-year window beginning when the athletes first enrolls,

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