Tennessee basketball rumors: Insider lays out scenario where Nate Ament returns to Volunteers

Tennessee basketball had a lot of ups and downs during the 2025-26 season, but the Volunteers found their best basketball in March once again. For the third consecutive season, Rick Barnes led his team to the Elite Eight, but he still is missing that elusive Final Four after losing a blowout regional final against Michigan.

Tennessee was led to the Elite Eight primarily by point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and star forward Nate Ament. Gillespie was a veteran in the transfer portal who is now out of eligibility, but Ament was a talented one-and-done prospect.

While Ament showed some flashes of why he may potentially be a top 10 pick in this NBA Draft, he also showed some flaws that have his draft stock falling in some places. He still has not declared for the NBA Draft, so the option is still there for him to return to Tennessee.

On Wednesday, On3 Sports insider Pete Nakos laid out the situation where Ament could return to Tennessee if he feels his draft stock sinks below a certain point.

“I can confidently say that if Nate isn’t a lottery pick: Tennessee is extremely well-position to get him back next season,”Nakos said, via FanRun Radio’s The Drive. “I guess the question, something that only Nate can answer, is what is the lowest he’s willing to go in the NBA Draft?”

Ament’s dilemma is one that many college players, who can now make a ton of money at the college level through NIL, will be wrestling with in year to come. If they’re not going to get picked in the top five or the top 10, maybe returning to college is the more profitable move. UConn’s Braylon Mullins is another player who is in a similar predicament as the draft deadline approaches.

Ament is a toolsy defender and a talented offensive player at 6-foot-10. He can make tough shots at times and score from all three levels, but his offensive production was inconsistent at times and he struggled playing against physicality. Those concerns could lead to a drop in the draft, or even a return to Tennessee.

The post Tennessee basketball rumors: Insider lays out scenario where Nate Ament returns to Volunteers appeared first on ClutchPoints.