Nate Ament stepped onto the court for the Milwaukee Bucks in his first NBA Summer League game, logging six points, three rebounds and two assists in just 17 minutes. The Bucks fell 119‑86 to their opponents at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, a result that underscored the challenges of adjusting to a new roster.
A Debut Overshadowed by a Heavy Loss
Ament’s appearance came after a period of limited action caused by ankle and knee injuries that hampered his final weeks at Tennessee. Strength coach Garrett Medenwald had previously praised the forward’s dedication during his rehabilitation, and the Bucks’ medical staff cleared him to compete in the Summer League.
The Bucks used the opportunity to finalize a four‑year, $25.9 million contract for Ament, which includes team options for the 2028‑29 and 2029‑30 seasons and an average annual salary of $6.4 million. The deal guarantees the player will remain under Milwaukee’s control through the early part of the next decade.
Ament was one of three Tennessee players selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, a class that also featured guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, taken 42nd overall by the San Antonio Spurs, and forward Felix Okpara, the 46th pick who was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Washington Wizards. Their draft positions mark the highest selections for a Volunteer since Marcus Haislip in 2002.
Gillespie made a splash for the Spurs, scoring 12 points, dishing out six assists and grabbing three rebounds in 23 minutes during the Vegas opener, while Okpara contributed four points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 20 minutes for the Wizards. Both players are projected to sign two‑way contracts, a arrangement that allows them to split time between the NBA club and its G‑League affiliate without occupying a standard roster spot.
Spotrac’s latest estimates place Okpara and Gillespie on one‑year, two‑way deals worth $678,882, with $91,000 guaranteed at signing, reflecting the typical financial structure for emerging prospects. The Bucks’ Summer League experience illustrates how teams blend rookie development, injury management and contract negotiations in a compressed schedule.