Will Nate Ament be available at nine for the Mavericks? Should they consider taking him?

You’ve heard it a thousand times: “The 2026 NBA Draft is deep.” But how deep does it go, and who will be available by the time the Dallas Mavericks are on the clock with the ninth overall pick? There are tiers in this draft. The first four picks are the obvious standouts from this past season: AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson. The next tier of players gets more muddled and can vary depending on the specific team’s needs (and who you talk to). The fifth through 10th spots are the ones experts don’t agree on, but the talent is there. That tier includes names like: Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries, and Nate Ament. There hasn’t been as much chatter about Ament, but he’s a prospect worth taking a deep dive into.

The basics

Nathaniel Ament, born December 10, 2006, enters this year’s draft as one of the top forwards available. The 19-year-old was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players entering the 2025 college basketball season. Ament led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 25-12 record, averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

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He grew up in Manassas, Virginia, and initially attended Colgan High School. He scored a mere 53 points his entire freshman season. After an underwhelming start to his high school career, Ament busted out of his shell as a sophomore, scoring 18.2 points per game and adding 9 rebounds. Following his sophomore season, he transferred to Highland School in Warrenton, Virginia. In his junior year, he showcased his ability to be elite on both ends of the floor, averaging 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game. Following his standout season, he signed a shoe deal with Reebok. His senior season did not disappoint as he averaged 18.9 points per game, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks. Ament was named the 2024–2025 Virginia Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year, earning him a spot in the 2025 McDonald’s All-American game. The Virginia standout led Highland to a 39-6 record and the Virginia Independent School Athletic…

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Publish date : 2026-05-29 11:01:00

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