The 2026 NBA draft opened at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, where the bright lights and buzzing crowd set the stage for a night of anticipation.
Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament heard his name announced with the 13th overall selection by the Miami Heat, a moment that capped a rapid rise from college standout to projected NBA prospect.
From Volunteer to Buck
During the 2025‑26 season Ament appeared in 35 games, starting every one, and posted averages of 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. His best performances included a 29‑point outburst against Oklahoma on Feb 18, an 11‑rebound effort versus Vanderbilt on March 13 and five assists against Mississippi State on Feb 11.
The trade that followed sent Ament’s rights to the Milwaukee Bucks, illustrating how quickly draft night deals can reshape a player’s immediate future.
Ament joins a Bucks roster that has been building around youthful talent, and his arrival adds another layer of depth to a team eyeing a return to championship contention.
The move also marks the latest chapter in a Tennessee program that has produced 58 NBA draft picks in its history, with Ament becoming the 11th player under coach Rick Barnes to hear his name called on draft night.