Rick Barnes puts another player in the NBA as Nate Ament was selected No. 13 overall by the Miami Heat. However, he is expected to be part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and will ultimately end up with the Milwaukee Bucks. This is a big deal for Tennessee, as Ament is the Vols' first lottery pick since the 1980s. Tennessee has now had a player drafted in six consecutive NBA Drafts.
Nate Ament was phenomenal for Tennessee
Despite spending just one season in Knoxville, Ament was a crucial piece for Tennessee and played a major role in the Vols’ Elite Eight run. He got off to a slow start, but once he found his rhythm, he became one of Tennessee’s toughest players to defend. Ament averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 40% from the field.
Zooming out, Ament was the highest-rated player in school history coming out of high school, and he lived up to the hype and then some. Even Rick Barnes admitted it was time for Ament to leave Tennessee after one year. He said:
"Obviously we love him to death, and I just think that honestly, when he goes through this process that any and every team he sits down in front of, they're going to see the same things that we see. There's so much more to him than what you see on the court basketball-wise. Right now there's no ceiling for him. He's really hasn't even scratched the surface."
Nate Ament is a good fit for Milwaukee
With Giannis gone, Milwaukee needs young talent with star potential, and Ament fits that description. The Bucks also selected Arizona guard Brayden Burries with the No. 10 overall pick, adding another high-upside prospect to their core. Ament won’t replace Giannis overnight, but he has the tools and potential to become an impactful player in Milwaukee.
Even after the trade, Milwaukee is not expected to compete for the Eastern Conference title, so Ament will have time to fill out his frame and develop as a player. This is more of a long-term pick for the Bucks rather than something expected to pay off immediately.
What does Nate Ament bring to the NBA?
Nate Ament was one of the most improved players in college basketball last season. At 6-foot-10, he has elite size for a wing and the versatility to impact the game in multiple ways. While his jump shot still needs some polishing, he can already score at all three levels. He’s also more athletic than people give him credit for, possessing the explosiveness to get downhill, attack the rim, and create his own shot. Ament plays all 94 feet as a solid defender who can hold his own and is a good passer for his size.
Ament no doubt needs to add bulk and get stronger, as he got pushed around in college. Finishing at the rim was something he wasn't very efficient at either, but Ament's aggressiveness helped him draw a lot of fouls. He has All-Star upside if he can put it all together.
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