As the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, forward Nate Ament joins the Milwaukee Bucks after a productive freshman campaign at Tennessee.
Ament was selected to the All-SEC second team last season, averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and one steal while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range. He finished with 584 points, the third-most by a Tennessee freshman.
The 19-year-old recorded 11 20-point games with the Volunteers last season, ranking second among freshmen in the conference. He ranked 14th in the country in free throws (196), the third-most in a single season in program history.
Ament was drafted with the pick acquired from the Miami Heat in the trade involving two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, which was finalized in July.
He was among two first-round picks for the Bucks, joining Brayden Burries.
The 6-foot-10 Ament debuted with the Bucks in summer league, averaging 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 38.9% from 3-point range in five games. He finished in double figures twice, including a 23-point effort on July 15.
Ament established himself as a lottery pick because of his scoring, rebounding and ability to get to the free-throw line. The team was ecstatic to add him and is eager to see him take the court next season.
Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season
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Family
Ament visited Rwanda last year for a basketball camp, where his mother, Godelive, was born and met his father, Albert, in 1998. Albert played college basketball at Wayne State (Division II) from 1985-1989 and was inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. Ament has since joined Visit Rwanda as its first-ever global ambassador.
Golf
Ament played golf in high school and enjoys it as an off-the-court hobby. He guessed that the best part of his game is his putting and that his top round was an 88. Ament even recently had the opportunity to hit the course with two-time U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau.
High School
Ament was the 2024-25 Gatorade Virginia Boys Basketball Player of the Year at Highland School, averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a senior. He also participated in the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
Soccer
Ament grew up as an aspiring soccer player and dreamed of representing the United States internationally. While he eventually pivoted away from the sport to focus primarily on basketball, Ament can still proficiently juggle a soccer ball. He credited soccer with helping his footwork and cardio.
USA Basketball
Ament represented USA Basketball in the 2024 FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Argentina, en route to the gold medal. Playing alongside the likes of Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr. and Jeremiah Fears, Ament averaged 3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and one steal in six appearances.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Bucks rookie Nate Ament before 2026-27 season
