Freshman forward Nate Ament has announced he will enter the 2026 NBA Draft, sharing the news on Instagram after one season with the Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball.
During the 2025–26 campaign, Ament averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, which earned him a spot on the All-SEC Second Team.
His scoring ability was evident, though his efficiency lagged at times, finishing the year shooting 39.9% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
Late in the season, Ament showed notable improvement.
Over a 10-game span from January into mid-February, he elevated his production to 23.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while knocking down 38.1% of his threes on over four attempts per contest.
In terms of draft outlook, Jeremy Woo of ESPN places him ninth in his mock draft and eighth overall on his big board, noting that while Ament may not immediately impact winning at the next level, his size and skill set make him an intriguing long-term prospect.
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report ranks him 13th, highlighting both his potential as a three-level scorer and questions about his physical tools, particularly his burst and strength.
Prospects who are not automatically eligible must submit their names for the 2026 NBA Draft by the end of the day Friday.
Nate Ament Declares for 2026 NBA Draft https://t.co/JMpbB6p2Te
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 24, 2026
