Nate Ament became the highest drafted Tennessee player in the NBA Draft in over 20 years when the Miami Heat selected him with the 13th pick and immediately traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the deal that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami.
The last time a NBA team selected a Tennessee player as high as Ament ironically came when the Milwaukee Bucks selected Marcus Haislip with the 13th pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Ament averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while earning All-SEC honors during his freshman season. Battling a leg injury late in the season, Ament helped lead the Vols to a third straight Elite Eight appearance.
Ament was in Brooklyn for the NBA Draft and met with the media at the Barclays Center following his selection. He discussed being Antetokounmpo’s replacement and more. Here’s what said.
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On if the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade puts more pressure on him
“I mean, I really wouldn’t say it’s much extra pressure. Obviously we’re stepping in — luckily I’m not going at it alone. I have got another top-10 draft pick, Brayden Burries. He’s a tremendous player, and I’m excited to get to learn with him.
Yeah, they are big shoes to fill over there in Milwaukee, and I think that it’s just a tremendous opportunity for me and Brayden. If anything, I see it as an opportunity and not pressure.”
On the emotions of the night
“Yeah, I’m just super excited. Again, like I said, I’m super grateful for the opportunity. To be able to make my family proud, to share that moment with my family means the world to me. So super excited and ready to get to work.”
On if there’s anyone in the organization he still wants to talk to
“I shared a brief word with Brayden, and looking forward to talking to him more. But also my new teammates I’ll see this next year.”
