After a promising freshman season, reports suggest that Nate Ament is unsure about his future. He hasn’t entered the transfer portal, nor has he declared for the NBA draft. He also hasn’t confirmed his return to Tennessee.
“Tennessee forward Nate Ament’s representatives are split on whether he should stay in college or go to the NBA, per @KevinOConnor Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor revealed his most recent mock draft on Wednesday, and provided new intel on #Vols forward Nate Ament,” the post was captioned.
“League front office executives tell me that his agency, LIFT Sports Management, is split on the decision because they believe that Ament could be the No. 1 pick in 2027,” wrote O’Connor.
“If Ament falls outside of the lottery, he’d be playing for less money this year and potentially hurting his future earnings.” O’Connor slated Ament at No. 18 to the Charlotte Hornets in his updated mock. For financial reasons it may make sense to return, and more importantly, for his own development to get one more year to improve physically and progress his skills,” O’Connor continued.
Fans react to Nate Ament’s uncertain future
Tennessee’s 5-star commit Nate Ament is one of the most talented up and comers in college basketball. He finished his senior high school season averaging 18.9 points, 10 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks. He was the top-5 recruit in 2025.
In April last year, 6’9 forward committed to Tennessee over finalists Jon Scheyer’s Duke, Mark Pope’s Kentucky, John Calipari’s Arkansas and Pat Kelsey’s Louisville. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 35 games and helped Louisville to the second-round of the NCAA tournament.
Fans online tried to make the decision for Tennessee forward.
“Nate isn’t going back to college. He was sitting courtside at the Knicks/Hawks game 2 nights ago. Not going to class in Knoxville,” one fan said.
“He should go star at @KentuckyMBB for a year, at which point he becomes a legit threat to be #1 with blue blood pedigree,” another suggested.
“He should stay in College. He’s not pro ready yet,” another claimed.
“He doesn’t even know what he doesn’t know but as a grown man, I know. Stay in school,” another stated.
“That’s what I was thinking. Come back and average 20 & 8 with 10 extra pounds of muscle and he’ll get taken number one overall in a weaker draft class next year,” one fan commented.
“He’d honestly be a lottery lock if he had gone anywhere but TN,” another said.
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