Nate Ament declares for NBA Draft

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 22: Nate Ament #10 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after blocking a shot against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Nate Ament has declared for the NBA Draft, according to a post from his Instagram account. The 6-10 wing is coming off of an outstanding freshman season with Tennessee, showing everyone why he was a top five overall prospect in last year’s recruiting class.

“I want to dedicate this post to my Vol family,” Ament said. “Your guys love and support is a huge reason I have this opportunity. It’s because of you guys that I was able to grow. Y’all stuck with me through the bad games and the good. I promise to always represent the Vols with the utmost pride. This University means more to me than just basketball — to me it’s a place I call home. I might’ve only been here a year but I’ll remember this year for the rest of my life.”

Ament averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a true freshman. He averaged nearly 30 minutes per game.

It was a slow start for Ament, but once he found it, he was among the best in the nation. Ament became Tennessee’s finisher late in the year, getting to the rim at will and salting games away at the free throw line. An ankle injury late in the year slowed him down, but the flashes of brilliance were certainly there.

Ament has been projected as a first-round selection in this year’s NBA Draft, but where he lands has been a bit all over the place. You don’t find many ball-handlers that check in with 6-10 length, but still yet, Ament’s stock has been down for much of the season after the slow start. He’s been mocked as low as No. 18 overall, and as high as No. 8 overall.