Tennessee Freshman Ament Earns Sixth SEC Rookie Honor

Standout first-year player averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds in two Vols wins.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:51am

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Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week for the sixth time this season. The standout first-year player averaged 21.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the Vols' two victories last week, including a career-high 29 points in a win over Oklahoma.

Why it matters

Ament's continued excellence as a freshman has been a key factor in Tennessee's strong start to the season. His consistent production and clutch performances have helped the Vols remain in contention in the highly competitive SEC.

The details

Ament matched his career high with 29 points in an 89-66 win over Oklahoma, adding six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. He followed that up with 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds in a 69-65 road victory against No. 18 Vanderbilt, hitting the game-winning shot with 54 seconds remaining.

  • On February 22, Ament scored 29 points in Tennessee's win over Oklahoma.
  • On February 25, Ament had 13 points and 9 rebounds in the Vols' victory at Vanderbilt.

The players

Nate Ament

A standout freshman forward for the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team.

Tennessee Volunteers

The men's basketball team of the University of Tennessee, a Division I program that competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

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What they’re saying

“Nate Ament has been a revelation for us this season. His ability to score, rebound and make winning plays has been crucial to our success.”

— Rick Barnes, Head Coach, Tennessee Volunteers

What’s next

Ament and the Volunteers will look to continue their strong play as they push for a high seed in the SEC Tournament and a potential NCAA Tournament berth.

The takeaway

Ament's impressive freshman campaign has been a bright spot for Tennessee, showcasing the program's ability to develop elite young talent and remain competitive in the SEC.