Tennessee Star Nate Ament Lands with Grizzlies in NBA Draft Simulations

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Tennessee freshman wing Nate Ament is projected as a top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after a strong finish to the SEC season. A simulation of the draft order on Tankathon showed Ament landing with the Memphis Grizzlies in multiple attempts, which would be a dream scenario for Volunteer fans hoping to see a Tennessee player join the in-state NBA franchise.

Why it matters

Ament's rise up draft boards is significant for Tennessee basketball, as the program looks to produce its first NBA lottery pick since Grant Williams in 2019. The Grizzlies have also become a popular destination for Volunteer fans, making Ament landing in Memphis an exciting prospect.

The details

In 10 simulations of the 2026 NBA Draft order on Tankathon, Nate Ament was selected 9th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies on 4 occasions. He also landed with the Milwaukee Bucks 3 times and the Dallas Mavericks twice. Ament's stock has been rising after a strong finish to the SEC season, where he's averaged 24.5 points per game over his last 4 contests.

• Ament has averaged 24.5 points per game over his last 4 games for Tennessee.
• The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June.

What’s next

Ament will look to continue his strong play in the final stretch of the SEC season to solidify his status as a top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.