Adding Nate Ament moves Tennessee up seven spots in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25
The addition of five-star small forward Nate Ament was worth seven spots for Tennessee Basketball in ESPN’s updated Way-Too-Early Top 25, moving the Vols up from No. 23 to No. 16.
“Tennessee has been busy reloading the roster over the past month,” ESPN’s Jeff Borzello wrote, “with top-five recruit Nate Ament and Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie representing two of the biggest-impact newcomers anywhere in the country.
“Ament has incredible long-term upside, while Gillespie was among the best point guards in college basketball this past season.”
Ament committed to Tennessee on Sunday and signed with the Vols on Monday. He’s the No. 3 overall player in the On3 ratings and is the highest-ranked prospect to sign with Tennessee during the recruiting rankings era.
‘Rick Barnes has strong front court depth … the Vols need more, though’
ESPN’s current projected starting five for the Vols in Gillespie and Ament along with Amari Evans, Jaylen Carey and Felix Okpara.
Ament became the fourth prep signee in Tennessee’s 2025 class, joining Evans, a four-star shooting guard, four-star center Dewayne Brown and three-star point guard Troy Henderson.
The Vols so far have added two players from the NCAA Transfer Portal in Gillespie and Vanderbilt power forward Jaylen Carey.
Tennessee still has three roster spots to fill after the addition of Ament.
“Rick Barnes has strong frontcourt depth,” Borzello wrote, “with Jaylen Carey (Vanderbilt) joining starter Felix Okpara and reserves Cade Phillips and JP Estrella. The Vols need more, though, with starters Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack, Igor Milicic Jr. and reserves Jordan Gainey and Darlinstone Dubar all gone.”
Nate Ament signs with Tennessee as consensus top-five player
Ament is a consensus top-five prospect, ranked No. 3 overall by On3 and No. 4 in the On3 Industry Ranking, which combines rankings from On3, 247, ESPN and Rivals. He’s the No. 2 small forward in the class, ranked only behind AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall player in the country.
“(Ament) brings a dynamic skill set to the hardwood, embodying the attributes of a modern basketball player,” Barnes said in a press release announcing Ament’s signing on Monday. “Standing out with next-level positional size, he possesses the rare combination of the ability to dribble, pass and shoot with confidence and precision.
“Nate has a strong basketball IQ to go along with an excellent pairing of skill and toughness. He’s the kind of versatile talent who can impact the game in a variety of ways and, in our eyes, he was the No. 1 player in the class. We are thrilled to have him in orange.”
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