KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The University of Tennessee has seen its share of elite basketball talent come through both the men’s and women’s programs. But when it comes to NBA potential, the most highly touted prospect in school history might be on campus right now, and he has yet to play a single game in orange and white.

That player is Nate Ament, a 6-foot-10 five-star freshman forward from Virginia. At just 18 years old, Ament’s size and perimeter skills have already made him a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, higher than any player in program history. The highest draft pick from Tennessee in school history was Allan Houston when he was selected ninth in 1993.

Though listed as a power forward, Ament plays more like a wing, showcasing range, ball-handling and versatility t

See Full Page