Note #053: Nate Ament (Simmering Suitors)

University of Tennessee one-and-done Nate Ament heard his name called early at the 2026 NBA Draft, going lotto (13th overall).

In 2025-26, the 6'10" Ament meant business. Let's start with the freshman's per game performance (across 35 GP, 29.7 MP/G):

• 16.7 PPG
• 6.3 RPG
• 2.3 APG
• 1.0 SPG
• 0.6 BPG

Since 1947-48, two freshmen besides Ament averaged at least 16.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 APG, 1 SPG, 0.5 BPG in 30 MP/G or less (min. 30 GP):

1. Jabari Smith (2021-22) - 16.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG (34 GP, 28.8 MP/G)
2. Zion Williamson (2018-19) - 22.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.8 BPG (33 GP, 30.0 MP/G)

If we remove the GP floor, we find one more freshman:

Dan Majerle (1984-85) - 18.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG (12 GP, 30.0 MP/G)

If we remove the MP/G criteria, just 23 freshmen (including the four above) over the last 78+ years reached those per game levels.

Seven, including Ament, sustained it over 35+ GP. The other six:

16.5-18 PPG
1. Paolo Banchero (2021-22) - 17.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG (39 GP, 33.0 MP/G)
2. Brandon Ingram (2015-16) - 17.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.4 BPG (36 GP, 34.6 MP/G)
3. Donte Greene (2007-08) - 17.7 PPG, 7.2 PRG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG (35 GP, 35.8 MP/G)

18-20 PPG
4. Cooper Flagg (2024-25) - 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG (37 GP, 30.7 MP/G)
5. Carmelo Anthony (2002-03) - 22.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.9 BPG (35 GP, 36.4 MP/G)

20+ PPG
6. Cameron Boozer (2025-26) - 22.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG (38 GP, 33.4 MP/G)

Banchero, Ingram, Flagg, and Boozer (and Williamson above) all accomplished the above playing for Duke!

Greene and Anthony played for the same university (Syracuse) too!

Okay, let's remove the GP parameter again: one freshman in 2025-26, besides Ament and Boozer, met the above per game benchmarks:

Caleb Wilson - 19.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG (24 GP, 31.3 MP/G)

Boozer (3rd overall), Wilson (4th), and Ament (13th) were all 2026 Draft lottery picks.

Lastly, let's quickly look at these categories for Ament through the per 40 scope:

22.5 PTS/40 MP, 8.5 TRB/40 MP, 3.2 AST/40 MP, 1.3 STL/40 MP, 0.8 BLK/40 MP

Five freshmen since 1947-48, besides Ament, Flagg, and Boozer, notched 22.5+ PTS/40 MP, 8.5+ TRB/40 MP, 3+ AST/40 MP, 1+ STL/40 MP, 0.5+ BLK/40 MP. They were (stats below are per 40):

22.5-24 PTS
1. Jerry Stackhouse (1993-94) - 23.3 PTS, 9.6 TRB, 3.8 AST, 2.3 STL, 0.9 BLK (35 GP, 21.0 MP/G)
2. Nick Muszynski (2018-19) - 23.6 PTS, 9.3 TRB, 4.4 AST, 1.0 STL, 3.5 BLK! (32 GP, 24.9 MP/G)

24-25 PTS
3. Corey Maggette (1998-99) - 24.0 PTS, 8.7 TRB, 3.4 AST, 1.7 STL, 0.9 BLK (39 GP, 17.7 MP/G)
4. Madden Collins (2025-26) - 24.5 PTS, 8.8 TRB, 3.6 AST, 2.3 STL, 0.8 BLK (32 GP, 21.8 MP/G)

25+ PTS
5. R.J. Barrett (2018-19) - 25.7 PTS, 8.6 TRB, 4.9 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.5 BLK (38 GP, 35.3 MP/G)

Two more Duke Blue Devils (Maggette and Barrett)!

It was a Banchero bash in Note #036 on 2026 Draft declarant Koa Peat.

Anthony painted the town Orange in Note #043 (Darryn Peterson) and Note #047 (Brayden Burries), two more freshmen Draft big boarders.

Barrett broke through in Note #003 on 2026 lottery pick Keaton Wagler.