How teaching himself a 'life lesson' took this Butler basketball lifer to a new role

Indianapolis Star

04-06-2025

INDIANAPOLIS — When junior guard Ethan McComb got a text from Butler basketball coach Thad Matta summoning him to his office, he didn't know what the meeting was about.
He knew he didn't do anything wrong, but when he arrived and the entire coaching staff was there, his confusion remained. Luckily for the Center Grove grad, Matta and his staff didn't leave McComb hanging in suspense for long.
"They told me they wanted to bump me up to scholarship for this coming year," McComb said. "It was a big surprise, and it was really special having them all in there.
"I was a little nervous, but I could tell from the vibe in the room it wasn't anything bad before they even said anything."
McComb played for former Butler guard Zach Hahn at Center Grove. McComb helped the Trojans go 22-3 during his senior season, averaging 7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 47% from 3. He had opportunities to play at the NAIA level after high school, but once the chance to join Butler arose, he knew he couldn't pass it up.
McComb's mother, Jenni, is a Butler alumnus. The McCombs are Butler season ticket holders and Ethan grew up going to Butler basketball camps. Life as a walk-on isn't glamorous, but McComb was willing to make the sacrifices necessary to a part of the program.
"I look at it as a life lesson," McComb said of being a walk-on. "Putting the team above myself. Anyone can do that for a day or a week or two, but over the course of a season or multiple seasons, coming in every single day knowing that your number may not get called, but what you do every day has an impact on winning.
"You can make a great impact on all your teammates every day by showing up with a great attitude and effort, communicating and doing all the little things like that."
McComb joined Butler as a preferred walk-on for the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-1 guard played in 13 games over the last two seasons, scoring 13 points. Heading into his third year with the Bulldogs, McComb and fellow junior Finley Bizjack are the longest tenured players on the roster.
McComb becomes Butler's 14th scholarship player. Former walk-on Connor O'Guinn is no longer with the program, meaning Butler will go into next season with 14 players.
In McComb, Butler has a reliable shooter and a guard who operates like a coach on the floor because he hopes to make a career in coaching after his playing days are over.
"It shows that they value you as a contributor to the team," Hahn said. "Sometimes we forget that the most important people are the people who make it feel like a team. Ethan definitely instills those values. I know he follows 'The Butler Way' to a tee, and he grew up wanting to play there. ... And I'm sure the coaches can count on him for anything that they need.
"His IQ is one of his best attributes. Even from a young age he's a great leader by example. He's turned into a very vocal leader and those characteristics carry over nicely into being a head coach."
McComb knows the team must come together quickly as 10 incoming players work to integrate themselves into Matta's system. With one day of practice under their belts, McComb is already seeing a return to The Butler Way.