Vols guard delivers message after announcing that he won't return to Tennessee next season

Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Tennessee Vols lands learned on Friday that sophomore guard Ethan Burg won’t be returning to Rocky Top for the 2026-27 season. Burg, a native of Israel, spent one season with the Volunteers.

Tennessee Vols sophomore guard Ethan Burg announced on Friday that he won’t be returning to Rocky Top next season.

Burg, who is from Mishmar HaShiv’a, Israel, arrived at Tennessee last year after playing two seasons with Bnei Herzliya Basket in the Israeli Basketball Super League.

During his lone season with the Vols, Burg averaged 2.5 points while averaging 10.7 minutes per game. Burg played in 33 games with one start this past season.

Ethan Burg delivers message after announcing he’s not returning to Tennessee

Burg is returning to Israel to be closer to family instead of coming back to Tennessee for another season.

“Vol Nation, thank you for welcoming me, a guy from halfway across the world, and making Rocky Top feel like home sweet home from my very first day,” wrote Burg in a post on social media. “It has been an honor to play in front of this incredible fan base and represent the University of Tennessee. I’m so grateful to all the coaches, staff and managers for the constant support. It was a privilege to compete alongside an amazing group of guys, my teammates, whom I’ll forever share a special bond with.

“Although I’ve made the difficult decision to return home to Israel to be closer to my family, I’ll always be proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer. This past year has been unforgettable and I’ll cherish the memories I made for the rest of my life. Go Big Orange!”

Ethan Burg will not return to Tennessee next season.

"Although I've made the difficult decision to return home to Israel to be closer to my family, I'll always be proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer." #Volspic.twitter.com/CGiw9EptP3

— Sam Rothman (@samrothman_) April 17, 2026