Xavier Burton

Writing about sports | Currently: @KnoxNews | @sji_update '26 #AggiePride

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Zakai Zeigler turns 24 today, and he’s probably on a flight to Germany right now, but yesterday, he spent his last day in the States giving back to Knoxville.

At his second annual youth camp, we talked Summer League with the Spurs, teaming up with Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and what he saw scrimmaging the new-look Tennessee team.

https://t.co/xnoF76PY7q

[Cora Hall @corahalll]

The Lady Vols met with the media and had open practice today for the first time this summer.

Takeaways from practice and talking with Kim Caldwell, Kaylene Smikle and Fatmata Janneh:
https://t.co/T5JvUrgUho

[Wynton Jackson @WyntonJackson]

The Knox News Elite 8 has been revealed! Here are the top eight high school football prospects in the Knoxville area for the Class of 2027.

Stay tuned for early August, where me and @XNBurton will release profiles from the No. 8 recruit to No. 1.

https://t.co/H1ra0o3kqX

[Knox News @knoxnews]

Meet Knoxville area's top college football recruits who make up our 2026 Elite 8 https://t.co/wMVp7fiGot

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

It’s an absolute honor to be awarded a scholarship named after the legendary @ACBJ_GarryD, alongside another incredibly talented journalist, @blgotdaflixks.

I also want to congratulate my fellow @knoxnews intern, @TrevorMcGee12, another hard worker with a bright future ahead. Out of all the applicants from across the country, two of us working in the same newsroom says so much about the kind of talent Knox News invests in.

Having my name next to these journalists is not something I take lightly. I can’t wait to get back to N.C. A&T, finish my degree strong and leave an impact on the student journalists I work with every day.

[APSE @APSE_sportmedia]

APSE awards 2026 scholarships to four rising collegiate sports journalists @TrevorMcGee12 @noahwhite1782 @XNBurton @blgotdaflixks

https://t.co/ntKK5XLWy4

[David Gabriel Georges 🇭🇹🇨🇦 @DavidGG27]

🍊🍊

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Five-star RB David Gabriel Georges announces his commitment TONIGHT at 5:30 p.m. ET. Tennessee is trending to land the in-state target over Ohio State and Ole Miss.

Here's how to watch the Chattanooga star make it official.🍊

https://t.co/zNGTqjpJXg

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

No. 13 overall pick Nate Ament headlined 11 former Tennessee Vols across the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League.

Jahmai Mashack and the Grizzlies made it all the way to the championship game before falling to the Warriors.

Full averages for every VFL, from Ament to Zeigler, here:
https://t.co/sGXuWoRijL

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Nate Ament's summer league averages:

11.2 PPG
4.8 RPG
1.4 APG
50% FG
39% 3PT

Recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 26 minutes in tonight's summer league finale.

Full box score vs 76ers here:
https://t.co/cQl6SmdZU6

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

DeSean Bishop's campers accused him of cheating at the end of the obstacle relay at his youth camp.

His punishment? 20 pushups with one of them on his back!😂

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Last fall @KadenLong_6 fell just short of TSSAA Class 5A Mr. Football. Now he's entering his senior season with that chip on his shoulder, and more size to carry it this time around.

6’2, 170 -> 6’3, 190.

His summer workouts, his bond with his coach and what’s really driving him this year.

https://t.co/wjzJ1zrQRz

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Nate Ament tonight:

23 points
6 rebounds
2 steals
7/13 FG

His best performance of summer league so far.

Full box score here:

https://t.co/Mt2IHaQ9tL

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Tennessee basketball four-star freshman Ralph Scott, a Warwick, Bermuda native, and IMG Academy alumni, has heard the same message throughout summer workouts from the staff.

Stop deferring.

How he's taking on the challenge:
https://t.co/ca9hnlcdCI

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Terrence Hill Jr. sparked the biggest comeback in NCAA Tournament history this spring. Now he’s chasing an even bigger stage.

He used to watch Ja’Kobi Gillespie run Tennessee’s offense and wonder if it could be him.

Now he’s looking to run it.

Read on Hill’s fit in the Vols’ backcourt:

https://t.co/ahC5PW1hQR

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

I caught up with @brody7sparks at this year's KFOA high school football media day to talk his about transfer to Oak Ridge, his offseason work and his connection with four-star Tennessee football commit @Malik_Howard81 on and off the field.

Plus: Comments from Howard about what this season could be.

https://t.co/24BvH6dwf3

[SJI @SJI_Update]

For 45 years, Clifton Brown has covered sports with excellence, integrity and purpose. He was recently inducted into the Black Sportswriters Hall of Fame. Story by @XNBurton

https://t.co/RQkWGVe2of

[Xavier Burton @XNBurton]

Nate Ament's second summer league game:

7 points, 5 rebounds and a drive-and-slam finish in a 90-80 loss to the Spurs.

Full box score here.

https://t.co/isugbvyU2r