In the clutch moments down the stretch, every team has a go-to player. For Tennessee, veteran guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie has filled that role for most of the season, though that could be shifting as the team evolves.
Nate Ament has emerged as a star for Tennessee, and on Wednesday night against Mississippi State, he was the ace in the hole for Tennessee down the stretch. Ament scored eight of the last ten points for the Vols, and his buckets came in clutch, as the Vols were on the brink of a disaster, almost blowing a 23-point lead.
Even with a few bumps and bruises, Ament stepped up and delivered in the biggest moment. Rick Barnes said, "I thought coming down the stretch, you know he's banged up a little bit. I could tell he wasn't moving the way he normally moves, but at the end, when we needed him he came through."
Nate Ament is the new go-to guy for Tennessee
The rise of Nate Ament has been nothing short of spectacular. We all knew he was a star and had a ton of potential, but he struggled early on. In the first month, Ament was ineffective and struggling with the physicality of Division I basketball. Despite being a top-five recruit coming out of high school, he looked lost at times.
Over the last nine game Ament has really brought his game to a new level. He is averaging 21.3 points, six rebounds, and 2.8 assists on nearly 45% shooting from the field. His game has taken a big step, as Ament is now finishing tough at the rim, drawing and-1's, and is hitting his threes at a great clip (46%).
NBA scouts are taking notice, too, as his draft stock is going up. Ament has great size at 6-foot-10, and he offers some positional versatility, something that is very valuable in the NBA. He is a functional team defender, but not elite, and he can score at all three levels. Don't be surprised if he ends up as a top-five pick in this loaded draft, but there is no doubt he will end up being a lotter selection.
At the end of the day, Ament’s rise has been significant, and down the stretch, he’s set to be the go-to guy for the Vols.