Tennessee Star Nate Ament Projected as Lottery Pick in NBA Mock Drafts

The freshman forward is expected to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2026 NBA Draft.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:18pm

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As the 2025-26 college basketball season comes to a close, Tennessee's Nate Ament is widely projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Multiple prominent mock drafts have the freshman forward being selected in the top 12, with the Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, and Chicago Bulls among the teams potentially targeting him.

Why it matters

Ament's potential NBA selection would be a major boost for the Tennessee basketball program, which has produced several high-profile draft picks in recent years. His departure would also create a significant void in the Volunteers' lineup, as the young star was a key contributor during his lone season in Knoxville.

The details

Ament, who averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game as a freshman, is widely expected to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2026 NBA Draft. While some analysts believe he could benefit from an additional year of seasoning in the college ranks, Tennessee assistant coach Gregg Polinsky believes Ament is ready to make the jump to the professional level.

  • Ament finished the 2025-26 season banged up as the Volunteers were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
  • NBA mock drafts have been updated in the lead-up to the Final Four and national championship game.

The players

Nate Ament

A freshman forward for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Gregg Polinsky

An assistant coach for the Tennessee Volunteers who believes Ament is ready to make the jump to the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“Of course, he's gotta go (to the draft). Unless his people, his family is great with him coming back. They're amazing. Amazing family. But if he were my son, I'm telling him he's got to go. Look, if he's hearing a number that, meaning not money, but hey, you're probably going to go 18-25, really? Okay, well, maybe I consider coming back.”

— Gregg Polinsky, Tennessee Volunteers Assistant Coach

What’s next

Ament has until the NBA's early entry deadline to officially declare for the 2026 draft. If he does enter, he will participate in pre-draft workouts and interviews as teams evaluate his potential at the next level.

The takeaway

Nate Ament's impressive freshman campaign has him on the verge of becoming the latest Tennessee player to be selected in the NBA Draft lottery. While the Volunteers would love to have him back, the lure of the professional ranks appears too strong for the young star to pass up.