// SCOUT_HOMEPAGE
AIDAN17
PROFILES
02
BOARD_SPOTS
02
YEAR
2026
// SAVED_BOARD
2026_OVERALL_BOARD
TOP_02
// PROSPECT_GUIDE
NATE AMENT
NATE AMENT
Big wing whose skillset is almost entirely theoretical at the moment
// STRENGTHS
-Listed 6’10” (may quietly be pushing 7’) with a lengthy 6’11” wingspan -57.8% free throw rate is outstanding. Size comes out most when he’s attacking downhill, likes to pump fake and get defenders in the air -Good hang time around the rim, even through contact -Nice shooting projection. Quality shooting form, like his touch, nearly 80% from the free throw line. Should benefit from lower usage & more of an off-ball diet in the league -Some tough shot-making chops from the midrange. Has the ability to rise up and shoot over defenders -Does well utilizing screens to find pull-up opprtunities -High release point alleviates some of his space creation issues -Nice lateral mover in space on defense. Flashes of off-ball activity -Noticeable improvement as the season went on
Percentiles are positional, measured against NBA players' last season in college.
// WEAKNESSES
-Looks physically outmatched super often -Poor rebounder. Underwhelming impact on the offensive glass for his size, and gives up offensive rebounds when battling with physicality on the other end -Has struggles getting to his spots and generating space due to rigid handle & movements paired with limited strength creation. Such a high rate of tough shots -Bad finisher. Under 52% at the rim last year, and even that number plummets in the half-court. Doesn’t get to the rim much -Only 13 dunks last season -Needs shooting to be an elite skill, but is it? 33% from three last year, 51st percentile from midrange -Negative assist-to-turnover ratio. Forces some passes, not a live dribble playmaker -53.4% true shooting to round out these negative offensive bullets. Simply wasn’t very efficient or effective in many facets -Poor screen navigation -Gets bullied in the low post defensively -Doesn’t offer much helpside rim protection -Don’t think he has the versatility to play the 4 despite his height given the lack of rebounding and interior defensive presence
// PROJECTION
By all accounts, Ament will almost certainly be a lottery selection this year. However, I really feel he needs another year in college, and I'd advise franchises to steer clear of selecting Ament so early. He looks physically outmatched more than *just about* any prospect you'll find in this draft. His finishing and playmaking metrics/tape were abysmal. Ament averaged just 1.5 unassisted rim attempts per 100 possessions, under 52% at the rim, and a negative assist-to-turnover ratio. And given his rigid handle and dull functional athleticism, I wouldn't bank on much untapped potential in these areas. I actually like his midrange shot making, but his efficiency here was only in the 51st percentile due to the fact that he struggled to get to his spots and create separation when creating off the dribble, forcing him to settle for such a high frequency of these tough midrange shots. He's REALLY going to have to shoot the stripe off the ball in order to carve out a serious NBA role. Now I do project him as a good shooter, from the steady form, nice touch, and quality free throw numbers. But is he an ELITE, difference making shooter, or just a good one? He shot just 33% from distance in college, was lackadaisical in a lot off his reps running off screens, and really struggles generating perimeter separation off the dribble. Now his high release point alleviates some of the separation concerns, and a more serious NBA offensive ecosystem where his usage rate drops should help, but I still seriously question if he's a high enough level of shooter to offer enough offensive value in the league. But let's imagine a world where the shooting gets there, for ceiling sake. Ament would be this super-sized floor stretcher that can hunt the occasional midrange opportunity when run off the line + via DHO's. Defensively, I think his fluidity moving laterally is one of his better athletic traits, and his length is a nice aid. But his rim protection impact is very underwhelming for a guy with his height and length, and when you throw in the fact that he's such a poor rebounder, I think Ament has to play small forward in the league. Even if he hits his ceiling as a shooter (emphasis on if), I'd still be lower on Ament because a) there's not much creator upside to play with, and b) he doesn't have the versatility to play the 4; lacking scalability amongst different lineups, and failing to be a chess piece at the 4 that can draw opposing power forwards out to the perimeter.
Percentiles are positional, measured against NBA players' last season in college.
// STRENGTHS
-Listed 6’10” (may quietly be pushing 7’) with a lengthy 6’11” wingspan -57.8% free throw rate is outstanding. Size comes out most when he’s attacking downhill, likes to pump fake and get defenders in the air -Good hang time around the rim, even through contact -Nice shooting projection. Quality shooting form, like his touch, nearly 80% from the free throw line. Should benefit from lower usage & more of an off-ball diet in the league -Some tough shot-making chops from the midrange. Has the ability to rise up and shoot over defenders -Does well utilizing screens to find pull-up opprtunities -High release point alleviates some of his space creation issues -Nice lateral mover in space on defense. Flashes of off-ball activity -Noticeable improvement as the season went on
// WEAKNESSES
-Looks physically outmatched super often -Poor rebounder. Underwhelming impact on the offensive glass for his size, and gives up offensive rebounds when battling with physicality on the other end -Has struggles getting to his spots and generating space due to rigid handle & movements paired with limited strength creation. Such a high rate of tough shots -Bad finisher. Under 52% at the rim last year, and even that number plummets in the half-court. Doesn’t get to the rim much -Only 13 dunks last season -Needs shooting to be an elite skill, but is it? 33% from three last year, 51st percentile from midrange -Negative assist-to-turnover ratio. Forces some passes, not a live dribble playmaker -53.4% true shooting to round out these negative offensive bullets. Simply wasn’t very efficient or effective in many facets -Poor screen navigation -Gets bullied in the low post defensively -Doesn’t offer much helpside rim protection -Don’t think he has the versatility to play the 4 despite his height given the lack of rebounding and interior defensive presence
// PROJECTION
By all accounts, Ament will almost certainly be a lottery selection this year. However, I really feel he needs another year in college, and I'd advise franchises to steer clear of selecting Ament so early. He looks physically outmatched more than *just about* any prospect you'll find in this draft. His finishing and playmaking metrics/tape were abysmal. Ament averaged just 1.5 unassisted rim attempts per 100 possessions, under 52% at the rim, and a negative assist-to-turnover ratio. And given his rigid handle and dull functional athleticism, I wouldn't bank on much untapped potential in these areas. I actually like his midrange shot making, but his efficiency here was only in the 51st percentile due to the fact that he struggled to get to his spots and create separation when creating off the dribble, forcing him to settle for such a high frequency of these tough midrange shots. He's REALLY going to have to shoot the stripe off the ball in order to carve out a serious NBA role. Now I do project him as a good shooter, from the steady form, nice touch, and quality free throw numbers. But is he an ELITE, difference making shooter, or just a good one? He shot just 33% from distance in college, was lackadaisical in a lot off his reps running off screens, and really struggles generating perimeter separation off the dribble. Now his high release point alleviates some of the separation concerns, and a more serious NBA offensive ecosystem where his usage rate drops should help, but I still seriously question if he's a high enough level of shooter to offer enough offensive value in the league. But let's imagine a world where the shooting gets there, for ceiling sake. Ament would be this super-sized floor stretcher that can hunt the occasional midrange opportunity when run off the line + via DHO's. Defensively, I think his fluidity moving laterally is one of his better athletic traits, and his length is a nice aid. But his rim protection impact is very underwhelming for a guy with his height and length, and when you throw in the fact that he's such a poor rebounder, I think Ament has to play small forward in the league. Even if he hits his ceiling as a shooter (emphasis on if), I'd still be lower on Ament because a) there's not much creator upside to play with, and b) he doesn't have the versatility to play the 4; lacking scalability amongst different lineups, and failing to be a chess piece at the 4 that can draw opposing power forwards out to the perimeter.
Percentiles are positional, measured against NBA players' last season in college.
Percentiles are positional, measured against NBA players' last season in college.