Tennessee walk-on Steven Pearl is heading off today to compete on one of two U.S. open-division basketball teams in the Maccabi Australia International Games.

The Maccabi Games represent a spiritual, cultural and athletic experience for Jewish athletes around the world.

Teams from 22 countries will compete in in Australia in July.

"I wasn't good enough to play in the Maccabi Games,'' said UT coach Bruce Pearl, who was at the College of the Canyons in California on Monday watching his son's team hold its final workout before leaving for Australia. "The games are played in Israel in 2009, and Steven is looking to work his way up so in three years he can make that U.S. team.''

The team Pearl is on is an open-division squad for Jewish men ages 18 to 35. They begin play July 3 against Canada in Sydney, Australia.

Ernie Grunfeld, a former UT All-American and U.S. Olympic gold medalist who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and serves as the president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards, said the Maccabi Games were a valuable experience in his life.

"It gave me an opportunity to compete against players from other countries, and the practices were great,'' Grunfeld said. "I was right out of high school when I went, and the other players were in college.''

Pearl is the youngest on his 11-man team, which includes eight collegiate players and two professionals -- one from Denmark's pro league and another headed to play professionally in Israel.

"Steven is in the top seven of the rotation, and he could wind up being a starter,'' said Harris Adler, an assistant coach at LaSalle who's serving as the head coach of Pearl's squad. "I'll use him at two (shooting guard) and three (wing).''

Adler, an assistant coach on the U.S. bronze medal-winning Maccabi team in Israel last year (Israel took the gold, France the silver), said he expects Pearl to develop quickly.

"Steven defends and rebounds well, and his shot is improving,'' Adler said. "He's a great all-around player, and he has a great knowledge of the game.''

Pearl said working out with UT players this summer has prepared him for the experience.

"The training at UT has gotten me ready, and since I've been out here (in California) my coaches have made it easy for me to pick up,'' said Pearl, who has never been outside the country. "I'm excited to be playing with some grown men who have been to the Games before; it sheds some light on me as far as how things will be in college.

"I think the other guys' experience and knowledge will help me a lot.''

Pearl said he's looking to get any advantages he can as he heads toward his first season with the Vols.

"I definitely like playing that (Tennessee's) style, because I've played it throughout my life and it's fun to play,'' Pearl said. "It's something I can fit into, and everyone at UT has made it easy for me to fit in.''

Pearl said he has added about 10 pounds of muscle since playing for West High School, where he earned All-State honors, last season.

"I'll look different than the last time people saw me play at West,'' he said.

Ernie On Colors: Grunfeld said he wouldn't take issue if UT opts to adopt an alternate jersey for neutral-site games.

"Black is already a secondary color: They have black trim right now, and it has always been a stylish color,'' Grunfeld said. "If people like it, why not? I think Tennessee is Big Orange Country, and it will always be associated with the color orange.

"I think it's fine to come up with a secondary-color uniform.''

Adidas has introduced alternate colors in black and grey to UT, and the current Vols said they hope the school will allow them to wear a black uniform at alternate-site games.

Player Update: UT signee Ramar Smith is expected to have back his grades and standardized test scores by the end of this week. Smith needs to post qualifying results and pass through the NCAA Clearinghouse and UT admissions in time for the start of the second term of summer school on July 10.

Suspended UT player Tony Passley is on course to be reinstated in time for the start of the second term of summer school. Passley, who was suspended after being arrested March 5, has since pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana charges. He's in the final stages of a compliance program set forth by Pearl.

ETSU Game: UT fans can pencil in a home game with East Tennessee State University on Dec. 30 at Thompson-Boling Arena.The Vols haven't released their upcoming schedule, but ETSU released its, and it showed the date with UT.