Locker Room Access - Tennessee

By Pablo Cong

With Amaree Abram’s commitment to Tennessee, the 6-foot-4 guard is making his fourth college stop. A versatile and seasoned player, he will bring valuable experience and depth to the Volunteers' lineup as they look to make a serious run next season. Surrounding projected top-five NBA Draft pick Nate Ament with experience and proven talent has been a major priority for Rick Barnes and his staff, and adding Abram is another strong step in that direction.

NEWS: Amaree Abram (@amareeabram) will transfer to Tennessee, he tells @TheAthleticCBB

He averaged 12.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game at LA Tech last season pic.twitter.com/J4k2ZxPXEw

— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) April 29, 2025

Next Stop of Many

Abram began his college career at Ole Miss, where he made an immediate impact, starting most games and averaging 8.0 points per contest. He then transferred to Georgia Tech, appearing in just 10 games there. At Louisiana Tech, Abram was thrust into the role of the team's primary offensive option, starting all 32 games and posting averages of 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting an efficient 42.2% from the field and an impressive 37.3% from three-point range.

Defensive Prowess and Offensive Versatility

Coming out of high school, Amaree Abram earned a strong reputation as a dynamic scorer with solid defensive instincts. Abram, a hard-nosed product of SoCal Academy under head coach Julius Von Hanzlik, entered college and was already known for his toughness and competitive spirit. As his career progressed, he embraced team defensive schemes, buckled down, and evolved into an elite on-ball defender without losing his natural scoring ability. Offensively, he brings much-needed slashing, shooting, and athleticism to the perimeter. Abram thrives in transition and plays with impressive patience and pace, making him a valuable weapon in both the half-court and open floor.

Conclusion

Abram's commitment comes at a crucial time for Tennessee, especially after missing out on Rodney Rice, who recently pledged to USC. Landing Abram was a timely move that helped ease concerns among Vols fans about the team's perimeter depth. Tennessee has been notably quiet about their remaining recruiting targets, leaving many to wonder what Rick Barnes and his staff might have up their sleeve. Even as the roster stands now, the Volunteers look poised to be highly competitive in the SEC — with a legitimate chance to contend for a conference title.

Come sign up and start a discussion on the new Locker Room Access Tennessee forum to follow recruiting all offseason long.  And check out our partner Fan Fund, the credit card that gives back to your favorite student-athletes.  

(Featured Image Credit: Louisiana Tech) 

By Pablo Cong 

What a wild ride it's been for Volunteers fans—but the wait is finally over. Elite wing Nate Ament has officially committed to Tennessee. The 6-foot-10 five-star standout from Highland School in Virginia, ranked No. 4 overall and the No. 2 power forward in the 2025 class, chose the Volunteers over top programs like Kentucky, Arkansas, Duke, and Louisville.

NEWS: 5⭐️ Nate Ament, On3’s No. 3 overall recruit in the country, has committed to Tennessee.

The 6-9 small forward chooses the Vols over Arkansas, Louisville, Kentucky, and Duke.

Massive news for Rick Barnes. https://t.co/UwnmjWqLy3 pic.twitter.com/SXswpEnfMO

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 20, 2025

Nate Ament headlines an already-loaded recruiting class headed to Tennessee, where he'll be the clear crown jewel of the group. From day one, Ament is poised to impact the game in every facet—scoring, playmaking, defending, and elevating everyone around him. He'll be joined by dynamic point guards Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Troy Henderson, versatile wing Amari Evans, and high-upside forwards DeWyane Brown and Jaylen Carey—with even more talent likely on the way. With a class this stacked arriving in Knoxville, the rest of the NCAA better take notice—something special is brewing on Rocky Top.

Old vs. New Nate

Nate Ament has made remarkable strides in his game since I first saw him in 2022 on the Adidas Circuit, suiting up for Team Loaded out of Virginia. Back then, here were my initial thoughts on him:

My personal 2022 scouting report on Nate Ament /6'08"/ Combo Guard/ 2025 Team Loaded NC 16's

Ament is a long, skinny guard who looks very young and may still be growing. He has a very immature frame. While not very strong at this point, he does compete and is a tough kid. He has a good feel and good handles. He is a good passer. He can be a playmaker with the ball in his hands at some point. He has a soft touch and a good release on his jumper. He just needs time and reps to develop into a good shooter. Strength is an issue; he needs to get stronger to finish plays. He needs to improve defensively but has the tools to be a good defender. Ament is an intriguing young player with good skills and should become an excellent prospect once his body matures. HIGH MAJOR

Nate Ament is still slender, but he's added a noticeable functional strength since I first saw him two years ago. Long known for his exceptional versatility, Ament continues to blend elite size and skill, showcasing a smooth shooting stroke, advanced ball-handling, and disruptive defensive instincts that are rare for a player his height. Now standing a legit 6'10"—an absurd measurement for a wing—he's evolved into a true matchup nightmare.

His jumper is significantly more refined, with a high, fluid release and soft touch that makes him a consistent threat from both deep and mid-range. He's also grown as a playmaker—far more confident and creative with the ball in his hands. Ament now uses his height and vision to see over defenses and pass out of tricky situations, making smart second and third-level reads when his primary option is cut off. And while his frame remains lean, the same competitive fire and mean streak that first caught my eye is still very much there.

Rick Barnes is an evil man

Let's not kid ourselves—Rick Barnes and his staff just went toe-to-toe with the best recruiter in college basketball, Jon Scheyer, and came out on top by landing Nate Ament. That's no small feat. Barnes is now on the verge of locking in a top-five recruiting class, which is remarkable. After a heartbreaking Elite Eight loss to Houston, Tennessee didn't hang its head—they regrouped, reloaded, and are already positioned for another deep run in next year's NCAA Tournament.

And before the jokes or negative takes start flying, let's have an honest conversation about Rick Barnes's recruiting strategy. It's crystal clear: he's relentlessly pursuing the nation's top high school talent while pairing them with seasoned, battle-tested veterans from the transfer portal. The vision? To build a deep, balanced, and elite roster that can dominate on both ends of the floor. Barnes is constructing teams with versatility, toughness, and winning DNA—and the results are already beginning to speak for themselves.

Some might say you can't win a national title relying heavily on defense—but I wholeheartedly disagree. Tennessee was just one more perimeter scorer away from reaching its first Final Four in program history. Had they closed out that game against Houston, the entire narrative around the Vols would've shifted—and you can bet the goalposts would've moved yet again. The tired argument that "Tennessee doesn't score enough to win anything meaningful" is outdated. This team is knocking on the door, and it's only a matter of time before they break through.

But make no mistake—everything is still on track in Knoxville. You better believe Rick Barnes will have his squad ready to make another deep run. This group is locked in, hungry, and more than capable of changing the narrative—and when the time comes, don't be surprised when they shock the world.

Worth the Wait

Even though this recruitment felt like it dragged on forever—with multiple rumored commitment dates and even one firm announcement that came and went—Nate Ament wanted to be sure Tennessee was the place he wanted to call home. He took his time, blocked out the noise, and made a thoughtful decision. The Volunteers are now getting a fully locked-in player, mentally prepared and ready to make a major impact from day one. For Tennessee, landing a prospect of Ament's caliber—someone who can dominate on both ends of the floor—isn't just a recruiting win; it's a game-changer.

Follow Vols recruiting all offseason long on the new Locker Room Access Tennessee forum.  And please take the time to learn about our partner Fan Fund, the credit card that gives back to your favorite student-athletes.

By Pablo Cong

Here's a quick update on where the Tennessee Volunteers stand with three key prospects: Nate Ament, Elyjah Freeman, and Rodney Rice. With momentum building in Knoxville, Rick Barnes and his staff are pushing to assemble one of the most talented rosters in program history.

Nate Ament: Five-Star Forward Trending Toward Tennessee

Nate Ament, a 6-foot-9, 185-pound forward out of Highland High School in Virginia, is a consensus top-five player in the 2025 class. Known for his elite versatility and smooth perimeter game, Ament has narrowed his list of finalists to Louisville, Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

Lately, the Vols are gaining serious traction. Tennessee may now be leading the race, as Duke—once considered the most significant threat—has reportedly cooled on Ament due to the high price tag tied to his recruitment. While those reports are unconfirmed, it would be unwise to count Duke out entirely, considering the Blue Devils have recruited Ament hard over the last two years.

BREAKING: 5 ⭐️ PF Nate Ament has received a Crystal Ball to Tennessee from Travis Branham at 247 Sports

Ament is currently ranked the No. 2 Power Forward and No. 4 Player nationally on @247Sports

This would be one of the BIGGEST commitments in Tennessee Basketball history 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3WtapL96bM

— Vol Scoops (@VolScoops) April 17, 2025

Expect a resolution soon, as his decision could come within the next week. If Tennessee secures a commitment, Ament would be the highest-rated recruit in program history—a potential cornerstone player for the future.

Elyjah Freeman: Surprise Commitment to Auburn

Elyjah Freeman, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, made an immediate impact in his debut season. Averaging 18.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, Freeman earned South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the D2CCA All-Region Second Team.

His recruitment started with a bang, drawing interest from high-major programs before going quiet for a stretch. Then, in a surprise move this past Saturday, Freeman committed to Auburn. Bruce Pearl and his staff pulled off a major coup by landing one of the country's most coveted Division II transfers—adding depth, size, and skill to their frontcourt.

Rodney Rice: Vols Still in the Mix for Experienced Guard

Rodney Rice remains active on the recruiting trail and is currently taking visits, with USC up next on his itinerary. Eric Musselman will make his pitch to bring the talented guard to the West Coast, but Tennessee is still very much in the hunt.

The Vols hope to add Rice to their backcourt alongside recent commitment Ja'Kobi Gillespie, forming a dynamic and experienced guard tandem. If Barnes can seal the deal, it would be another strong piece in a growing puzzle positioning Tennessee as a serious national contender.

Stay up to date on Vols recruiting all offseason on the new Locker Room Access Tennessee forum. And take the time to learn about our partner Fan Fund, the credit card that gives back to your favorite student-athletes.