Kentucky basketball has suffered another recruiting loss, this time missing out on five-star forward Nate Ament, who has committed to the Tennessee Volunteers. According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Ament chose Tennessee over a group of high-profile schools, including Kentucky. His decision marks a significant addition for the
Volunteers, as Ament is one of the top talents in the 2025 class.
Ament admitted that the decision wasn’t easy and took longer than expected. He considered all his finalist schools, and even some outside that group, before ultimately choosing the program he felt best suited him and his family. He emphasized that the coaching staff’s vision and how he fit into the team dynamic played a major role in his commitment.
Standing at 6’9″, Ament is considered the No. 4 overall player in the 2025 high school class. He was the highest-ranked uncommitted prospect remaining, making his pledge to Tennessee a major win for Rick Barnes and his staff. This decision ends a long recruitment process that had been closely watched by top programs.
Ament made it clear that he views his time in college as a one-year stepping stone to the NBA. He sees himself as a “one-and-done” player, and believes Tennessee offers the best path to reach his professional goals. He mentioned that Coach Barnes’ past experience with NBA-level talent, including coaching Kevin Durant, played a key role in earning his trust.
The strong bond Ament built with Tennessee’s coaching staff helped solidify his choice. He feels confident in their ability to help him grow both on and off the court. With clear aspirations to play in the NBA, Ament believes Tennessee is the ideal place to launch his basketball career.
