In a significant development for college basketball recruiting, five-star forward Nate Ament has committed to the University of Tennessee. Ament, a 6-foot-9, 185-pound standout from Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia, is ranked No. 4 nationally in the 2025 class. He chose the Volunteers over other top programs, including Kentucky and Louisville.
Ament’s decision comes after a series of official visits to his final five schools: Louisville (October 12, 2024), Tennessee (October 19, 2024), Notre Dame (November 9, 2024), Duke (January 31, 2025), and Kentucky (February 11, 2025). His commitment to Tennessee is particularly noteworthy given the strong push from Louisville and Duke, both of which were considered frontrunners in his recruitment.
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes played a pivotal role in securing Ament’s commitment. Barnes’ history of developing NBA talent, notably coaching Kevin Durant during his tenure at Texas, was a significant factor in Ament’s decision. Ament has drawn comparisons to Durant due to his versatile skill set and scoring ability. In an interview, Ament expressed admiration for Barnes, stating, “Coach Barnes coached KD, pushing him to be that player is enticing.”
Ament’s commitment is a major coup for the Volunteers, as he brings a unique combination of size, skill, and versatility to the program. His ability to score from all three levels, coupled with his defensive prowess, makes him a valuable asset for Tennessee’s future roster. During his junior season at Highland School, Ament averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game, leading his team to a 24-12 record and a berth in the VISAA Division II State Championship game.
The commitment also signifies Tennessee’s growing prominence in recruiting elite talent. Securing a top-five national prospect over traditional powerhouses like Kentucky and Duke underscores the program’s upward trajectory under Coach Barnes’ leadership.
For Kentucky and Louisville, Ament’s decision represents a missed opportunity. Both programs had invested considerable effort into his recruitment. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope made a late push, including an official visit and subsequent in-person visit to Ament’s senior night. Louisville, under head coach Pat Kelsey, had been considered a leader at various points, leveraging strong relationships and a competitive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) package.
As Ament prepares to join the Volunteers, expectations will be high for him to make an immediate impact. His commitment not only bolsters Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class but also sets the stage for the program to compete at the highest levels in the coming seasons.
