How Kentucky, Duke, and Others Are Battling for Nate Ament’s Commitment
Highly sought-after five-star recruit Nate Ament is preparing to announce his college choice, though the exact timing of his commitment is still uncertain.
The 6-foot-9 power forward, ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, had initially considered revealing his decision during the McDonald’s All-American Game in New York City. The prestigious event is set to take place Tuesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. However, Ament shared in an interview on Monday that he will delay his commitment.
“I’m pushing it back. I won’t be announcing on Tuesday,” he confirmed.
Ament has narrowed his options to five schools—Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, and Tennessee. While Duke was previously seen as the frontrunner, no single program is currently viewed as a clear favorite to land him. A significant factor in his decision will be the financial opportunities available through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
Having taken official visits to all five finalists, Ament is the highest-ranked uncommitted player in the 2025 class.
“My priority is finding a coach who truly believes in me, challenges me to improve, and lets me showcase my skills while teaching me the right way to play,” Ament explained. “I also want to be part of a strong recruiting class with players who want to compete alongside me. The culture of the program matters, too—how well the team bonds both on and off the court.”
Kentucky’s Pursuit of Ament
Ament is among 24 players selected to compete in Tuesday’s McDonald’s All-American Game. One of his fellow participants, Malachi Moreno, recently led Great Crossing High School to a state championship and has already committed to Kentucky.
When asked about his efforts to recruit Ament to UK, Moreno highlighted the program’s history and environment.
“My pitch is simple—Kentucky is a legendary program with an incredible fan base, top-tier facilities, and an elite coaching staff,” Moreno said. “It’s a place where you can develop your game and chase your dreams.”
Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, led by head coach Mark Pope, already includes Moreno and two left-handed guards, Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis. Ament and Johnson were teammates on the U.S. squad that won gold at the FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in Argentina last summer.
Kentucky currently holds the nation’s sixth-ranked recruiting class for 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The addition of Ament would push UK ahead of Notre Dame and Arkansas into fourth place.
Basketball analyst Zach Welch recently praised Ament’s versatility, describing him as a player capable of making an immediate impact at the college level.
“Ament is a unique talent who will influence games early on, but his growth will depend on how he’s developed at his chosen school,” Welch said. “His skill set is adaptable, and his role will be shaped by the program he joins.”
In a February interview, Ament mentioned Kentucky’s offensive system, particularly its emphasis on three-point shooting, as a factor in his consideration. The Wildcats set a new program record for three-pointers made during the 2024-25 season, which ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee.
Pope, who had previously recruited Ament while coaching at BYU, extended an offer to him in June. Kentucky’s pursuit of Ament intensified after the team lost a recruiting battle to North Carolina for five-star forward Caleb Wilson in January.
Ament has had multiple chances to evaluate Kentucky firsthand. He attended a Tennessee-Kentucky game in January and was on an official visit in February when UK secured a shorthanded victory over Tennessee. Shortly after that, Pope traveled to Virginia to watch Ament play on his senior night.
Ament also sat courtside for the ACC Tournament championship game between Duke and Louisville on March 15, a matchup that ended in a Blue Devils victory.
Of Ament’s final five schools, only Duke remains in the NCAA Tournament, having secured a Final Four spot with a dominant win over Alabama. Tennessee was eliminated in the Elite Eight, while Arkansas and Kentucky fell in the Sweet 16. Louisville exited in the first round.
Reflecting on his observations from the tournament, Ament said, “It was valuable to see how coaches handle high-pressure situations, how they adjust to adversity, and the level of trust they place in their players. That insight will help me in making my final decision.”
Kentucky’s Plans for the 2025-26 Season
While Kentucky isn’t expected to completely overhaul its roster, Pope will need to make adjustments heading into next season.
Six players from the 2024-25 team—Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson, and Amari Williams—have exhausted their NCAA eligibility. Guard Kerr Kriisa, who may qualify for a sixth year due to injuries, has entered the transfer portal.
Among those potentially returning for Kentucky are freshmen Collin Chandler, Travis Perry, and Trent Noah, as well as sophomore Brandon Garrison and junior Otega Oweh.
In addition to its incoming freshman class, Kentucky has secured a transfer commitment from Kam Williams, a wing player from Tulane.
As the Wildcats prepare for next season, Ament’s commitment could play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s roster and national standing.
