If you had tried to recognize Nate Ament just 18 months ago, chances are, you wouldn’t have. And honestly, even Ament wouldn’t blame you. In fact, he admits it himself: “Seventeen, 18 months ago, if you told me I’d be where I am now, I wouldn’t have believed you,” the top-five recruit shared. His meteoric rise began with a dominant high school run, followed by a breakout moment with USA Basketball. After debuting on the international stage and clinching gold at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship, Ament’s name began turning heads in every basketball circle. But it wasn’t just his skills—it was the mindset shift that changed everything.
“Having the confidence to truly believe I’m one of the best players in the country was the most important part. It wasn’t about height or strength; it was about putting the training I’ve been given to use,” he explained. That evolution in self-belief took time, and so did his college decision.
But when it finally happened, it was worth every second of the wait. Fans couldn’t stop buzzing about it. It all came together last Sunday. After months of speculation, predictions, and heated debates online, Nate Ament officially revealed his decision—he’s committing to Tennessee. For the Volunteers and head coach Rick Barnes, it’s a monumental win. They just landed the fourth-best player in the country.
That’s not all—Ament also ranks as the second-best power forward and the top player in the state of Virginia. His commitment comes after he narrowed his choices down to several elite programs earlier this February. He also took multiple visits to Duke, Arkansas, and Kentucky, keeping fans on edge right up to the announcement.
Duke target Nate Ament officially commits to Tennessee.
Glad that’s finally over. https://t.co/GaWv690Ir9
— Ryan Lommen (@TheDukeNation) April 20, 2025
“This was a very hard decision,” Ament admitted. “It took me a little longer than most. I wanted to make sure it was the right fit. I could have gone to any of the five finalists.” In the end, he followed his instincts and landed in Knoxville under the guidance of Rick Barnes.
However, not all fans were thrilled. His decision sparked mixed reactions across social media, especially among rival fan bases who had held out hope for his commitment. But love it or hate it, the Nate Ament era in Tennessee is officially about to begin—and if his rise over the past 18 months is any indication, the best may be yet to come.
Fans come out fuming, targeting the Tennessee Vols!
As the official announcement about Nate Ament’s college commitment aired, fans wasted no time diving into the comment section. But it wasn’t just Tennessee taking shots—it was the unexpected nature of Ament choosing the Volunteers that really lit things up. “Bit unexpected,” one user wrote, summarizing what many were thinking. After all, Ament is not just any player—he’s a top-five recruit and arguably the best available high school boys’ basketball prospect in the class.
Still, for some fans, that wasn’t enough to silence concerns.
“He’s physically not ready to deal with SEC basketball,” one spectator penned, casting doubt on how Ament’s current frame would hold up against the rigors of one of college basketball’s toughest conferences. That criticism, however, seems at odds with how NBA scouts view him. They’re enamored with his long-term upside and elite two-way potential. With impressive guard skills, a versatile defensive presence, and a 6-foot-9 frame that’s still developing, Ament has all the makings of a future pro.
He’s also grown an inch over the past year and is expected to continue filling out his frame. With a high release point and a versatile shooting touch—whether coming off screens or pulling up off the dribble—Ament can get his jumper off whenever he pleases. He’s fluid, decisive, and increasingly effective at finding teammates on the move. Over the past year, he’s made major strides in ball handling, passing, physicality, and defensive intensity. All of that explains why he’s already projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
So if he’s that talented, why are so many fans skeptical?
“Damn you, Tennessee. Take all this talent—for what?” another user vented. A big part of the frustration stems from how quickly Ament’s rise happened. Just 18 months ago, he was under the radar. That changed when he led Highland High School to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state championship. Soon after, he was named the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year and selected as a McDonald’s All-American.
Even then, the doubts persisted. “Nate Ament’s collegiate decision—yeah, the reaction wasn’t good,” another user posted bluntly. In his senior season, Ament averaged nearly 19 points per game. Yet, it wasn’t just the choice of Tennessee that drew criticism—it was the schools he turned down.
“Ewing, Pringle, and TB will dominate his sk—- a– next year! Not even a worry!” a user claimed, referring to high-impact returning players at rival programs. Louisville fans, in particular, were holding out hope. Back in October, head coach Pat Kelsey and assistant Thomas Carr reportedly visited Ament at least once during the recruiting period, according to The Courier-Journal.
Utah Prep’s AJ Dybantsa drives to the basket on Highland’s Josh Hamilton and Nate Ament during a game at Emmanuel College in Boston on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
That interest sparked massive support. Louisville fans came out in full force, becoming the top donors on Fanstake.com—a platform that allows fans to pool funds together in hopes of attracting and retaining elite talent. In fact, they raised over $86,000 in collective NIL pledges by the time of Ament’s decision.
So naturally, many were stunned when he chose Tennessee—a program that, at the time, had only raised about $13,000 on the same platform. This led to assumptions that NIL played a role. “Money was his ONLY criteria. Don’t need him,” one disgruntled fan claimed. But does that theory really hold?
Consider this: Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier recently joined the NIL millionaire club, earning around $1.5 million in compensation. That puts him at No. 30 in the NIL 100 and No. 10 among all college basketball players. As for Ament? According to On3.com, his NIL valuation is already around $1.3 million—and that was before he even committed. So, you get the point, money could not have been the only factor.
In the end, love it or hate it, Ament’s decision has everyone talking—for better or worse.
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