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What a perfect 2026 NFL Draft would look like for Chicago Bears
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Nate Ament projected as No. 18 overall pick in NBA draft
TL;DR
Nate Ament is projected as the No. 18 overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft, scheduled for June 23-24 in Brooklyn. His decision to enter the draft is complicated by potential future earnings and development considerations.
Key points
- Nate Ament projected as No. 18 overall pick
- NBA draft scheduled for June 23-24
- Decision influenced by potential future earnings
- Ament's agency split on draft entry
- Development considerations for Ament's skills
Mentioned in this story
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Nate Ament projected as No. 18 overall pick in NBA draft
The NBA draft will be held June 23-24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. A deadline for early entries to enter the NBA draft is Friday at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Ahead of the early entry deadline, Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports released an updated NBA mock draft. He projects Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament as the No. 18 overall pick in the first round to Charlotte.
"Tennessee fans are waiting for Ament to choose whether to return to college or head to the NBA," O'Connor said. "League front office executives tell me that his agency, LIFT Sports Management, is split on the decision because they believe that Ament could be the No. 1 pick in 2027. If Ament falls outside of the lottery, he’d be playing for less money this year and potentially hurting his future earnings. For financial reasons it may make sense to return, and more importantly, for his own development to get one more year to improve physically and progress his skills."
Ament appeared in 35 games, including 35 starts, for the Vols during the 2025-26 season. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Q&A
What is Nate Ament's projected draft position in the NBA draft?
Nate Ament is projected to be the No. 18 overall pick in the NBA draft.
When is the NBA draft taking place in 2023?
The NBA draft will be held on June 23-24, 2023, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Why might Nate Ament choose to return to college instead of entering the NBA draft?
Ament may choose to return to college for financial reasons and to further develop his skills, as his agency is divided on whether he should enter the draft now or wait for a potentially higher pick in 2027.
