The rise of Nate Ament needs to be studied. Or does it? The freshman took some time to develop, which isn't uncommon, but many impatient fans were starting to get fed up. However, since conference play began, Ament has shone as a true two-way force for the Vols, solidifying his status as one of the top freshmen and one of the best players in the nation.
Ament’s outstanding play didn’t go unnoticed; he earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors once again, adding another accolade to his already impressive resume. John Satori posted an amazing stat, saying that Ament has now won nearly 40% of the SEC Freshman of the Week awards given out. I mean, that is just absurd, and shows how dominant Ament has been.
Last week, he averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, and helped Tennessee win two huge games. The Vosl beat Oklahoma on Wednesday, and then went to Nashville and took down their cross-state rival in a game where Ament hit a huge bucket to take the lead with less than a minute left to go in the contest.
Nate Ament SEC Freshman of the Week percentage tracker: 37.5% https://t.co/uEJYnwl8oD
— John Sartori (@JohnSartoriTV) February 23, 2026
Ament is at the top for SEC Freshman of the Year
The race for SEC Freshman of the Year is shaping up to be a tight one, with Tennessee’s Nate Ament going head-to-head with Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. for the top honor. Both players have been absurd this year, putting their respective programs on their backs. Acuff is putting up impressive numbers himself, averaging 22 points and six assists while shooting 50% from the field. But Ament isn’t far behind, as he’s averaging 18 points, 6.5 rebounds, and a steal per game in four fewer minutes, showcasing his true two-way impact on both ends of the floor. Arkansas does play a faster style than Tennessee, too, and Acuff is their main ball handler.
It might be an uphill battle for Ament, but he is right up there when it comes to winning the award. His slow start may hurt him, but at the end of the day, if the Vols finish strong and Nate Ament keeps putting the team on his back, who knows what can happen.