Zee Spearman Arrested Again, Raising Concerns For Tennessee

Just before the 2025‑26 season, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers were already dealing with roster turbulence when guard Ruby Whitehorn was dismissed after two arrests involving marijuana possession and domestic assault. Adding to the turmoil, former forward Lazaria “Zee” Spearman—a 6‑foot‑4 presence from Dacula, Georgia—found herself in the spotlight again after a second traffic stop in July.

Spearman’s first run‑in with law enforcement occurred on June 13, 2025, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where she was pulled over for speeding at 100 mph in a 55‑mph zone. Police reports show she admitted to smoking three grams of marijuana that day, registered a 0.104% breathalyzer result, and later posted a 0.073% blood alcohol level after a state test. She pleaded guilty to reckless driving, received probation, community service, and an abuse‑substance evaluation; the DUI charge was dismissed.

A second citation arrived on July 6 in Monroe County, just northwest of Macon, where Spearman was charged with speeding while driving on a suspended license. She posted a $960 bond and returned to action, currently averaging 8.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for the Upshot League’s Savannah Steel. The league’s spokesperson declined to comment, noting the matter is pending.

Spearman’s College Career and Draft Journey

Before the legal troubles, Spearman was a accomplished college player, transferring to Tennessee after a standout freshman season at Miami. As a rookie, she topped ACC freshmen field‑goal percentage and helped the Hurricanes reach the Elite Eight. At Tennessee she started 50 of 64 games, ranking in the top four for scoring and rebounding in each of her two seasons and earned SEC Academic Honor Roll honors twice.

The Dallas Wings selected her 31st overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft, but she was released 12 days into training camp. Spearman then signed with the Savannah Steel of the fledgling Upshot League, a four‑team development circuit intended to bridge college talent and professional opportunities.

Program Impact and Broader Context

Spearman’s arrests come amid a rebuilding phase for the Lady Vols, who posted a 16‑14 record last season—the fewest wins in program history. Coach Kim Caldwell was aware of the June incident, though no public discipline was announced. The coaching staff also experienced turnover, with assistant Gabe Lazo moving to UCF head coaching and Roman Tubner dismissed before landing at Louisville.

Eight players transferred out while 13 entered the program, reflecting the instability surrounding the team’s resurgence. The recurring legal issues of high‑profile players like Whitehorn and Spearman add another layer of concern for a roster already in flux.

Looking ahead, the Lady Volunteers will need to steady their defensive foundations and internal culture. If Caldwell can navigate the roster shuffle and address off‑court behavior, Tennessee may yet recover from its recent downturn and rebuild a competitive nucleus for the next cycle.

Unlike Whitehorn’s pair of arrests, Spearman’s run‑in with police in Georgia and subsequent court hearings were not publicized or covered by local media in Knoxville, Tennessee. If she was disciplined by Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell, it was not made public.

Spokespersons for Tennessee athletics did not immediately respond to a request for comment when reached by USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday evening. Two people with direct knowledge of the Lady Vols women’s basketball program said Caldwell was aware of Spearman’s arrest when it occurred.

Earlier this month, Spearman was arrested again in Georgia, this time in Monroe County, just northwest of Macon, according to police records viewed by USA TODAY Sports. On July 6, Spearman was charged with speeding and driving with a suspended license. She was released on a $960 bond.

Spearman was selected 31st overall by the Dallas Wings in this year’s WNBA Draft, but was waived 12 days into training camp. She signed with the Savannah Steel of the startup Upshot League — a four‑team professional women’s basketball development league. Spearman has played in five games since her July arrest and is averaging 8.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game across 19 contests this season.

When reached by USA TODAY Sports a spokesperson for the Upshot League said: “We understand the matter is pending and have no comment at this time.”

A 6‑foot‑4 forward from Dacula, Georgia, Spearman was a top 30 recruit and started her collegiate career at Miami. As a rookie for the Hurricanes, she led all ACC freshmen in field‑goal percentage and helped the program reach the Elite Eight for the first time.

Spearman transferred to Tennessee shortly after Caldwell was hired and started in 50 of the 64 games she played in for the Lady Vols. She ranked in the top four on the team in scoring and rebounding in both seasons she was at Tennessee and twice made the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Last summer, Spearman also featured with Team USA in the 3×3 U23 World Cup and in the 3×3 Nations League.

Tennessee went 16‑14 this past season, a record for the least amount of wins in a single season in the storied program’s history. In Caldwell’s second year at the helm, the Lady Vols lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, capping an eight‑game losing streak.

No player with eligibility remaining returned to the roster as eight players transferred out and 13 transferred in. The coaching staff was shaken up as assistant Gabe Lazo became the head coach at UCF and former assistant Roman Tubner landed at Louisville after being dismissed by Caldwell.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As Lady Vols rebuild after down year, Zee Spearman’s arrests raise new concerns