Zakai Zeigler, a standout guard for the Tennessee Volunteers, has decided to drop his bid for a fifth year of NCAA Division I basketball eligibility. Despite this, his lawsuit against the NCAA will proceed, as confirmed by his legal team on Tuesday.

Last month, a federal judge denied Zeigler's request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed him to return to the Volunteers for another season. Although he initially appealed the ruling, his attorneys voluntarily withdrew the appeal on Tuesday.

In a statement, the law firm Litson PLLC expressed their continued commitment to Zeigler's case: "While we had hoped to see Zakai back in orange and white, he's embracing the next chapter of his basketball career with optimism and resolve. We remain committed to pressing his case forward in the trial court, where the core legal issues remain very much alive."

Standing at 5-foot-9, Zeigler was not selected in the recent NBA draft. However, he will be participating in the NBA Summer League with the Detroit Pistons, according to a source close to ESPN's Jonathan Givony.

Zeigler is among several athletes challenging the NCAA's eligibility rules, which limit players to four seasons within a five-year window. He argues that this rule is a monopolistic practice that deprives athletes of the opportunity to earn Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation. In his lawsuit, Zeigler claimed he could earn between $2 million and $4 million if he played another season at Tennessee.

This case highlights the ongoing debate over athlete rights and the NCAA's governance in college sports. The outcome of Zeigler's lawsuit could have significant implications for future eligibility rules and the broader landscape of college athletics.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.