Tennessee Lands Elite 5-Star, 5’5″ (typo?) Forward—Correction: 6’9″ Nate Ament
Breaking News: The University of Tennessee Vols have secured a commitment from Nate Ament, a 6-foot-9, 5-star forward from Highland School in Virginia. Ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class by On3 and the No. 2 small forward in the nation, Ament chose Tennessee over powerhouse programs including Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, and more
- Program-Defining Talent: Ament is the highest-rated recruit in Tennessee basketball history—the top-ranked signee since Rivals began rankings in 2003 (tennessee.rivals.com).
- Versatility Personified: Averaged 19 PPG, 10 RPG, and 2.2 APG over his senior season leading Highland School to a 42‑7 record and a VISAA Division I state title (tennessee.rivals.com).
- Elite Credentials: A McDonald’s All‑American, with standout summer performances on the Adidas 3SSB circuit—shooting 47% FG, 42% 3PT, and 90% FT—earning rave reviews for his high-level skill set (aseaofblue.com).
- Ament faced heavy recruitment from blue-blood programs: Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Texas, BYU, and Georgetown (tennessee.rivals.com).
- His pledge comes after a full recruitment cycle, including visits to each final school, and a memorable Tennessee visit shaped around major matchups like the Tennessee–Kentucky game (aseaofblue.com).
- Coach Rick Barnes and staff orchestrated a standout recruiter-focused weekend in October 2024, drawing Ament and other high-caliber 2026 targets (rockytopinsider.com).
High School Career (Senior Year):
- 18.9–19 points per game, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 blocks across ~45 games (tennessee.rivals.com).
- Excelled in tournaments—23 pts, 10 rebs at The Throne Championships quarterfinals, earning state player of the year honors (tennessee.rivals.com).
- On Adidas 3SSB: 15.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 47% FG, 42% 3PT, 90% FT (aseaofblue.com).
Developmental Profile:
- Milwaukee scouts praise his combination of size, skill, toughness, ball‑handling, shooting, rebounding, defensive timing, and pro‑level talent .
- Tennessee’s 2025 class now looks formidable, with Ament anchoring alongside four‑star wing Amari Evans and three‑star forward DeWayne Brown II (tennessee.rivals.com).
- The Vols have also bolstered their backcourt via the transfer portal with Maryland guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie (tennessee.rivals.com).
- Ament’s presence complements existing commitments and portal additions, giving Tennessee a balanced, star‑studded lineup with multi‑positional versatility (wings, guards, forwards).
- He brings a proportion of SEC-combative grit and talent reminiscent of Vol legend Bernard King—bridging scoring at the wing with interior toughness (dukebasketballreport.com).
- Ament is expected to contribute immediately as a freshman in the 2025–26 season.
- Known for being NBA-ready, his arrival boosts expectations—Tennessee could be competitors in the SEC regular season, tournament play, and beyond.
- Analysts believe he’s a future top-pro pick, and comparisons to Bernard King aren’t hyperbole .
- Matthew Hatfield (VirginiaPreps.com): “I’m not sure in my 20-plus years … we’ve had a more complete forward in terms of skill‑set, touch, court savvy and ability to impact a game… potential lottery pick” (tennessee.rivals.com).
- On3’s Jamie Shaw: “There is no one like him at the top of this class, given his size, toughness, and skill set” (athlonsports.com).
- Tennessee is shifting from underdog to top-tier contender in SEC basketball.
- Attracting and landing elite targets like Ament demonstrates a new recruiting era under Coach Barnes.
- If Tennessee continues to close on blue-chip talent, questions turn from “can they recruit?” to “can they contend for conference titles—and deeper NCAA® Tournament runs?”
- Jersey number, major, long-term development plan (e.g., timeline toward NBA draft) remain unclear.
- Will his freshman role be as a role-player or primary option?
- Ament has remained silent on NIL or academic plans, though Tennessee’s track record suggests a supportive environment.
Nate Ament’s commitment marks the most significant recruiting coup in recent memory for Tennessee basketball. A versatile, skilled, NBA-caliber 6’9″ forward with elite scoring, athleticism, and court awareness, he immediately elevates Tennessee from a mid-tier SEC college to a program with serious national aspirations. Tennessee now has a foundation of star talent in both the 2025 and 2026 cycles—a perfect runway toward sustained competitiveness.
This commitment isn’t just big—it’s transformational.
