Tennessee basketball was home to one of the top freshmen in the country this past season. Nate Ament, a top-five recruit in his class, shone as a true freshman, helping lead the Vols to a third-straight Elite Eight appearance.
While most years Ament would likely be considered a potential top-five NBA draft prospect and sure-fire top-10 pick, this year’s class is loaded. While most projections still have Ament going inside the lottery and typically in the top-10, it’s still not as high as it could be.
This has led to some pundits suggesting he could benefit from another year at the collegiate level, which could vault him up draft boards the following year. However, UT assistant coach Gregg Polinsky doesn’t agree. During an appearance on FanRun Radio, he gave his thoughts.
“Of course, he’s gotta go (to the draft),” Polinsky said. “Unless his people, his family is great with him coming back. They’re amazing. Amazing family. But if he were my son, I’m telling him he’s got to go. Look, if he’s hearing a number that, meaning not money, but hey, you’re probably going to go 18-25, really? Okay, well, maybe I consider coming back. But I doubt it, guys. I’m going to be surprised if his name is not called in the lottery. And how high it can be in the lottery, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So happy we had Nate Ament, and he shared his life and his talent with us. It’ll be one of the great things that I’ll remember, I’ll tell you that.”
More From RTI: Looking Ahead To Tennessee Basketball’s Offseason, Previewing Final Four | RTI: Rim Runner
In ESPN’s latest mock draft heading into the NCAA Tournament, Ament is slotted as the ninth-overall pick. This would send the freshman phenom to the Chicago Bulls. Ironically, the Bulls’ home arena is where Ament’s college career ended with the loss to Michigan in the Elite Eight.
As a freshman, Ament produced 16.7 points per game on 39.9% shooting from the field and 33.3% from range. He also contributed 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest.
However, Ament was far from healthy down the stretch. After missing the final week of the regular season, he gritted his way back into action for the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, though.
