Tennessee lands best 5-star recruit in men's basketball program history

Tennessee's impressive 2024-25 season has a chance to be run back in 2025-26.

That's because the Volunteers just picked up one of the top recruits in the country.

Nate Ament, a top-five recruit, is heading to Knoxville.

"Coach (Rick) Barnes sees me as a one-and-done type player," Ament told ESPN. "He has done it before with Kevin Durant. He sees me as that kind of guy for his program. I built a great relationship with the coaching staff. I trust them a lot, and they have big goals for me. I think they'll do a great job of developing me as a player and a young man. I trust the coaches to help me get to the next level."

Ament is an incredibly talented 6-foot-10 wing who chose Tennessee over Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisville and more.

"This was a very hard decision," Ament said. "It took me a little longer than most. I wanted to make sure it was the right fit. I could have gone to any of the five finalists. Or even to schools outside the finalists. Ultimately, I felt like this was the best place for me and my family, and the coaching staff was the best fit for me. I was looking at the transfer portal and rosters for next season, asking myself how I would fit with teammates? How much can I trust the coaches I am talking to? What goals do they have, and do they align with mine?"

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ESPN ranks Ament as the No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2025.

He led Highland High School in Virginia to a state championship as a senior.

Ament stole everyone's attention in the last 18 months, beginning with the summer between his sophomore and junior seasons.

"Seventeen-18 months ago, if you told me I'd be where I am now, I wouldn't have believed you," Ament said. "Having the confidence to truly believe I'm one of the best players in the country was the most important part. It wasn't about height or strength, it was about putting the training I've been given to use."

Ament will likely go to the NBA after one season in Tennessee orange, but first, he has big aspirations.

Barnes got the biggest win of the late recruiting cycle, and now the Volunteers will try to win with Ament.

MORE: Oregon closing in on 5-star recruit right from Ohio State's backyard