Nate Ament Commits to Tennessee, Shocking Rivals

Nate Ament, a top-five high school basketball recruit and the No. 4 overall player in the class of 2025, has committed to play for the Tennessee Volunteers, choosing them over other elite programs such as Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, and Arkansas. Ament, who stands 6-foot-9 and hails from Virginia, was a highly sought-after prospect with offers from 35 schools and official visits to several top programs. His rapid rise in the basketball world was marked by a standout high school career, a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship, and recognition as a McDonald’s All-American. Ament cited a strong relationship with Tennessee's coaching staff and head coach Rick Barnes’s track record of developing NBA-level talent as key reasons for his decision, noting that Barnes envisions him as a potential one-and-done player. The announcement surprised some, as Louisville and Duke were previously considered frontrunners, and his decision is regarded as a major recruiting win for Tennessee. Ament’s combination of size, skill, and versatility makes him one of the most valued prospects in the 2025 class, and he is expected to make an immediate impact for the Volunteers.