Ethan Burg’s FIBA Journey Ends—What Awaits Him at Tennessee Basketball?

Ethan Burg is gearing up to make his long-awaited debut with Tennessee basketball this September, fresh off a stint competing in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 representing Israel. After clocking two seasons of professional play overseas, Burg is stepping onto the NCAA hardwood with three years of eligibility left—a unique pathway that adds a compelling layer to the Volunteers’ ambitious 2025-26 squad. With nine fresh faces including French guard Clarence Massamba, Tennessee is stitching together a roster packed with promise and potential. As the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, all 15 players are now in Knoxville gearing up for what should be a captivating season ahead filled with skill, grit, and a dash of international flair. Curious to see how Burg’s global experience will mesh with Rick Barnes’ game plan? Dive deeper here: LEARN MORE

AI-assisted summary
• Ethan Burg is set to join the Tennessee basketball team after playing in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 for Israel.
• Burg has three years of NCAA eligibility remaining after playing two professional seasons in Israel.
• The Volunteers have nine newcomers on the 2025-26 roster, including Burg and French guard Clarence Massamba.

Ethan Burg is arriving in Knoxville on Sept. 8, to join Tennessee basketball following the conclusion of Israel’s run in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, a source told Knox News.

The source requested anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

Burg is the final player to arrive to join the Vols, who now have all 15 players on their roster in Knoxville prior to the 2025-26 season.

The 6-foot-3 guard played 17 minutes in four games. He scored five points and had two rebounds in an 82-69 win against France. He was 2-for-3 shooting and 1-for-2 at the free-throw line in 11 minutes.

Burg has three years of eligibility to play at Tennessee based on the NCAA’s ruling on his standing. He spent the past two seasons playing professionally in Israel, which meant he lost one year of NCAA eligibility.

He played the past two seasons with Bnei PenLink Herzliya in Israel. He averaged 11 points, shooting 32.9% on 3-pointers. He shot 37.6% on 3-pointers last season, while averaging 11.1 points.

French guard Clarence Massamba arrived in Knoxville on Aug. 17, the day before the fall semester began as the penultimate arrival for the 2025-26 roster.

Tennessee has nine newcomers on its roster, including Burg and Massamba.

The Vols added senior guards Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Amaree Abram along with junior forward Jaylen Carey through the transfer portal.

UT signed five players in the 2025 class, which ranked No. 13 nationally.

Five-star prospect Nate Ament is the highest-ranked recruit in program history as the No. 4 recruit nationally. Tennessee signed four-star forward DeWayne Brown II and four-star guard Amari Evans in November. Three-star guard Troy Henderson signed in April. Henderson and Ament played AAU basketball together with Team Loaded 17U.

The Vols return senior forward Felix Okpara, junior forwards Cade Phillips and JP Estrella and sophomore guard Bishop Boswell. Guards Grant Hurst and Campbell Duncan round out the roster.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.