Nate Ament

Unanimously considered a five-star prospect, a top-four overall recruit in the class and the best player in Virginia.
Tabbed the second-best player in the country by On3, as well as the fourth-best player by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals.
The third top-five recruit in Tennessee history, alongside Tobias Harris (2010) and Allan Houston (1989).
The 13th McDonald’s All-American in program history, he totaled 12 points, three rebounds, one steal, one assist and a 2-of-2 3-point clip in the 2025 event at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Registered 10 points, six rebounds and three assists in the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., as well as competed in the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore.
On the 2024 U18 USA National Team that played in the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup and went 6-0 en route to winning the gold medal in June in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Made the 12-man roster after taking part in a 28-man, five-day tryout group in May 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and in the 2024 Men's Junior National Team minicamp in April 2024 in Phoenix.
MVP of the 2024 Summer Slam Classic at Rucker Park in New York City, putting up 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks, one steal and four made 3-pointers.
Averaged 19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a senior on his way to Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year accolades, becoming the first such honoree from a school other than Oak Hill Academy or Paul VI since Thon Maker in 2013-14.
Named a Naismith First Team All-American and—after preseason second-team status—a MaxPreps First Team All-American, as well as the MaxPreps Virginia Player of the Year, the VISAA Division I Player of the Year and the Metro Private School Conference (MPSC) Player of the Year.
Led his team to a 42-8 record, a No. 14 finish in the MaxPreps national rankings, a VISAA Division I state championship, a second straight MPSC Tournament trophy and an Elite Prep League (EPL) regular season crown.
Recorded game highs in points (24) and rebounds (18), as well as what proved to be the game-winning basket, in the 56-51 overtime victory over Bishop O’Connell to claim the state title.
Paced all players in points (32), rebounds (11) and blocks (four) in the MPSC final, a 62-50 triumph against top-seeded Clinton Grace Christian.
Notched 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in a Jan. 2025 win over then-top-ranked Prolific Prep (Calif.) at the prestigious Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.
During the summer before his senior year, dropped 41 points on 15-of-22 shooting in a win against DeMatha Catholic (D.C.) in June 2024 at DMV Live, adding 27 rebounds, six blocks, four assists and two steals.
Averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 3.7 assists per game as a junior, earning VISAA Division II Co-Player of the Year and the first of two MPSC Player of the Year plaudits.
Helped his team to a MPSC championship, logging 17 points in the 62-51 title game win over top-seeded Clinton Grace Christian, as well as a VISAA Division II state final berth.
Attended Charles J. Colgan High School for his first two prep years, earning First Team All-District and First Team All-Class 6 Region B status as a sophomore.
Led his team to 18 wins, a school record, and a regional quarterfinal berth by averaging 18.2 points per game, just one year after notching 53 total varsity points as a freshman.
Named to the academic honor roll in each of his prep years.
Competed for Team Loaded VA, alongside fellow Tennessee freshman Troy Henderson, at the AAU level and aided the team to a 19-1 record and semifinal run on the 2024 adidas 3SSB circuit.

PERSONAL

Full name is Nathaniel Herman Ament, but goes by Nate.
Last name is pronounced AY-ment.
Born Dec. 10, 2006, in Woodbridge, Va.
Parents are Albert Ament, a French teacher, and Godelive Ament, a nurse, who met in the latter’s native Rwanda in 1998 while the former was working there and in then-Zaire with Catholic Relief Services.
Father, who has two master’s degrees, also did a pair of two-year tours with the United States Peace Corps, one to Chad as an English teacher (1989-91) and one to Madagascar as an English teacher trainer (1993-95).
Father was a 2001 inductee of the Wayne State Athletics Hall of Fame for 1985-89 basketball career that included an All-GLIAC senior campaign in which he averaged 23.4 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, plus set school single-season records for points (654) and made free throws (194) that still stand at the Division II school in Michigan.
Has three older brothers, Manny, Alex and Frederick, the first of whom played soccer at Randolph-Macon, a Division III school in Virginia.
Majoring in business management.
Enjoys playing golf and pickleball.
Favorite athlete is Kevin Durant, whom Rick Barnes coached at Texas, because he loves his game and the way he moves at 6-foot-11.
Best sports memory is winning the state VISAA Division I state crown as a senior.
Prays before each game and wears No. 10 because it is a part of his favorite bible verse, Isaiah 41:10.
Has volunteered as a youth basketball coach and referee.
Committed to Tennessee over Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky and Louisville, plus held offers from schools such as Alabama, BYU, Georgetown, Kansas State, Notre Dame and Texas, among others.
Chose Tennessee because he loved the whole coaching staff and knew they would push him to be the best man and basketball player he could be.
Follows nine prior Tennessee letter winners from Virginia, just three of whom played this century.