Nate Ament, the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has committed to Tennessee. The 6’9″ small forward from Manassas, Va., made headlines not just for choosing the Volunteers over powerhouse teams, but for the bold debate comparing him to NBA legend Kevin Durant.
With ESPN NBA draft analyst Paul Biancardi showcasing Ament as a potential top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the question arises: could he be the next Durant? Let’s take a closer look at his journey, skill set, and the path that could lead him to NBA popularity.
Tennessee Commit Nate Ament’s Rise in the Recruiting Ranks
A year and a half ago, Nate Ament wasn’t a familiar name in high school basketball. But today, surprisingly, he’s a five-star recruit, ranked fourth overall in ESPN’s 2025 class and third by On3. Ament started with outstanding performances on the high school and grassroots circuits in 2024.
The FIBA Americas U18 Championship marked his breakout moment, where he debuted with USA Basketball and helped the team win a gold medal.
“17, 18 months ago, if you told me I’d be where I am now, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Ament told ESPN. “Having the confidence to truly believe I’m one of the best players in the country was the most important part.”
Ament’s quick rise caught the attention of fans and NBA scouts, who see him as a future lottery pick. Biancardi, a veteran ESPN analyst, noted on X that Ament has “steadily climbed to fourth overall in the class of 2025,” a testament to his potential as one of the best and strongest recruiting classes in a decade.
At 6’9″, with guard-like skills, Ament’s versatility has drawn comparisons to Durant, who also played under Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes during his one-and-done season at Texas in 2006-07.
Over a year ago, I assessed Nate Ament after Kevin Schneider from Big Shots told me about him. Since then, he has entered the ESPN rankings and steadily climbed to fourth overall in the class of 2025.
That speaks to his enormous potential, as this is one of the best classes I… pic.twitter.com/qINXzF98DM
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) April 20, 2025
The comparisons to Durant are unavoidable, but the looming question is, are they fair? While their profiles aren’t parallel, they share similar physical attributes, and both have experience under Barnes during their college careers.
Durant, at 6-10 during his time at Texas, transformed the game with his shooting ability over smaller defenders while also handling the ball like a guard. Ament, while not yet at Durant’s level, displays flashes of that versatility.
Durant was a generational talent, a one-of-a-kind player who dominated and shaped college basketball from the moment he stepped on campus.
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Ament, while immensely talented, is still developing. His need to add strength and improve his ability to play through contact could determine whether he reaches Durant’s level.
“With Rick Barnes’ proven expertise in player development, alongside a focus on strength and conditioning training, Nate is poised for remarkable growth,” Biancardi stated on X.
So, if Ament can maintain his trajectory, the Durant comparison might not seem too far-fetched.
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