Nate Ament’s decision is one of the biggest questions facing Tennessee heading into next season. The former five-star forward could return as the centerpiece of a potential Final Four team, or declare for the NBA Draft and begin his development against the best players in the world. Ament has until this Friday night to make his decision.
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Yahoo's senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor has intel on Nate Ament and where his camp is leaning on where Ament should play next year. O'Connor said, “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."
Tennessee forward Nate Ament’s representatives are split on whether he should stay in college or go to the NBA, per @KevinOConnor
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) April 22, 2026
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.… pic.twitter.com/0nJTOB7isg
Nate Ament's camp is torn
It honestly makes a lot of sense where his camp is coming from. If Ament were to fall out of the lottery, he would also be missing out on a lot of money when he could have made more in Knoxville while also being able to get a high pick next summer in a weaker draft class. Ament has had a ton of NBA interest, but is it enough to make him a lock in the top 14 picks?
There's no doubt Ament is a fabulous player, but he does have some limitations. He was inefficient last year, shooting only 39.9%, and he struggled at times with physicality, which will only get harder in the NBA. He may have to spend time in the G-League before getting a real shot in the association. A return to Knoxville would help him refine his game and, most importantly, get stronger.
On the other hand, obviously, he has an immense amount of potential, and he flashed that potential plenty of times last year. He scored 29 on the road in Tuscaloosa, 18 against Iowa State in a Sweet 16 upset, and 29 in a hostile Rupp Arena. If he goes to the NBA, he can develop with the franchise that drafted him with the specific plan they want for him.
All things considered, I don’t think Nate Ament can make a wrong decision here. If he falls out of the lottery, he’ll still be a first-round pick and may lose some money, but if he proves people wrong, he could earn a major second contract in the NBA. If he stays at Tennessee for one more year, he could make good money and position himself as a lottery pick in a weaker draft class next season.
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