No doubt, Rick Barnes is a coaching legend. From starting his first job at North State Academy in 1977 to now coaching for the 48th consecutive season, he’s done it all with ease. But for him, the best of his tenure so far has been with the University of Texas, where he spent 17 seasons — and that too, for a special reason. In those years, Barnes worked with various good NBA players, but none was more special than Kevin Durant!
Durant joined Texas back in the 2006-07 season, and Barnes, as always, played a crucial role in his recruitment. While the Longhorns weren’t one of the powerhouses, they got their freshman — and the coach already knew who he would become. “I do know this: ‘I’ve got the best player in the country.’ And he said, ‘You’ve got the best freshman.’ I said, ‘No, I’ve got the best player,’” Barnes once recalled during the Goodman and Hummel podcast. Days have passed since then, but once again, the coach’s instinct has landed on a player. And guess what? He’s landed on Barnes’ coached roster too!
In case we’re on the same page, it’s Nate Ament, a top-five recruit and the best available high school boys’ basketball prospect in the 2025 class. Last Sunday, Ament, after months of anticipation, speculation, and prediction, unveiled his decision and committed to Tennessee. And that was how, once again, Barnes had a big fish from the pond. “Coach [Rick] Barnes sees me as a one-and-done type player,” Ament said. “He has done it before with Kevin Durant. He sees me as that kind of guy for his program.”
Duke target Nate Ament officially commits to Tennessee.
Glad that’s finally over. https://t.co/GaWv690Ir9
— Ryan Lommen (@TheDukeNation) April 20, 2025
Well, it marks a massive win for the Vols since Ament was the fourth-best player in the country, the second-best power forward, and the number one player in the state of Virginia. His decision came after he shortlisted various big programs back in February. And not just that — he even took regular visits to Duke, Arkansas, and Kentucky before announcing his commitment.
“This was a very hard decision,” Ament said. “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.” However, as he was destined to be, he ultimately chose Barnes and the Volunteers. But Ament’s tenure under Barnes will not be the same as Durant’s!
Rick Barnes aims for big this time!
When KD entered his first collegiate year, he had one of the most dominant freshman seasons in NCAA history. Averaging 25.8 points per game with nearly 47.3% from the field and 40.4% from three, his performance was beyond impressive.
“I said, I’ve never had a guy like this. And not, I mean, every day. I mean, it was something different every single day,” Barnes said. And the coach was right. None of his players earned Naismith College Player of the Year and John R. Wooden awards in their freshman years. But what made it even more special was that Texas’ season wasn’t as memorable. With many freshmen in their lineup, the team managed to finish up with a 25-10 record and a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Still, if you ask Barnes about the highlight of the season, it would still be the legendary forward.
“It was his love, his passion, and his work ethic that was just incredible. And he’s so humble, loved his teammates. He flourished,” Barnes explained. “And, you know, I thought Todd Wright did a great job not looking at him and saying, we’re going to try to put a lot of weight on you. We’re just going to get your body right. And, you know, and that’s what he did.”
And that was how Durant helped Texas elevate its national profile as a collegiate program. Then, fafter his lone season with the Longhorns, he ended up being the Seattle SuperSonics’ second overall pick. Just like KD, Ament too is joining a freshman lineup.
Utah Prep’s AJ Dybantsa drives to the basket on Highland’s Jemal Smith, left, and Nate Ament during a game at Emmanuel College in Boston on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.© Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With him, Amari Evans, DeWayne Brown, and Troy Henderson are in the 2025 recruiting class for Tennessee. Above that, the team has also picked up commitments from Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Jaylen Carey in the transfer portal. But the situation isn’t exactly the same between KD’s and Ament’s.
This time, Barnes is aiming to achieve bigger goals. As of now, Tennessee is coming off a season in which they made it to the Elite Eight for the second year in a row. Still, they’re searching for a Final Four berth — but based on their track record, it seems with the arrival of Ament, it’s only a matter of time.
Notably, Ament, ESPN’s No. 4 prospect, is a McDonald’s All-American. He comes after helping Highland High School to a 42-8 record and earning Virginia Boys’ Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year honors. So what do you think? Is he going to take Barnes-led Vols to heights they’ve never been before??
The post Duke and Kentucky Have Mutual Feeling as Rick Barnes Finds Kevin Durant in 2026 Projected Top 5 Pick Nate Ament appeared first on EssentiallySports.
