Tennessee Vols true freshman forward Nate Ament officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft last week. Ament, however, has until May 27 to pull his name out of the draft and retain his college eligibility.

Tennessee Vols star freshman forward Nate Ament officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft last week.

Ament, a former five-star recruit from Virginia, averaged 16.7 points per game as a true freshman this past season. He’s considered a lock to be selected in the first round of the draft.

Over the last couple of weeks, there was speculation among fans and media that Ament could return to Tennessee for his sophomore season if he doesn’t get good feedback from the NBA.

On3’s Chris Low, however, said this week on The RTI Low-Down that Tennessee’s coaching staff “never for one second” thought Ament was coming back next season.

“I think the only debate (with Ament’s draft decision) really was outside the people who knew what the hell was going on,” said Low. “Rick Barnes and that staff, they never for one second thought he was coming back. They’d love to have him. And I want to be very clear here, they would love to have Nate back. But Rick has told me that they think he’s a top 10 pick. And they’ve told him he should go.”“If he were to slip by some unforeseen circumstance to 15, 16, or 17 in the draft, he could still pull back out of the draft. I think he’s got until May 27. And if that were the case, Tennessee would find the money to bring him back. I mean, they’d love to have him. But all that aside, there was never really ever any conversation among Rick Barnes and Nate (about coming back). I know his mother and his dad love Tennessee. And he’s loved his experience at Tennessee, but they also understand that it’s a business. “Just having talked to members of the staff last week, I’d be shocked if he slides out of the top 12. I think he’s gonna go in the top 10… I think he’s gonna go to these camps and the combine, I think he’s healthier now, and he will show out. And he will only improve his stock.”

Ament clearly loved his time at Tennessee, but going to the NBA now is what’s best for his career. Barnes knows it, and now fans know it.