Nate Ament Commits to Tennessee

Nate Ament Commits to Tennessee

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.

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.

Leave a comment