Nate Ament, the highly touted 5-star small forward from the class of 2025, has been the subject of intense recruiting interest from top college basketball programs across the country. In a recent interview with KSR, Ament shared his thoughts on the Kentucky Wildcats’ new head coach Mark Pope and the potential of Louisville being his favorite destination.
Ament, ranked No. 7 overall by the On3 Industry Ranking, has been recruited by Pope and assistant coach Cody Fueger since their time together at BYU. That relationship has continued as the duo has moved to Kentucky, and Ament has been impressed with what he’s seen from the new staff in Lexington[2].
“They’re great people,” Ament told KSR about the Kentucky coaches. “They FaceTime me often, they talk to me a lot. Great sense of humor, great guys, it’s great getting to know them honestly.”[2]
Pope’s offensive philosophy at BYU, which featured a high-volume three-point shooting approach, has caught Ament’s attention and aligns with his own playing style[2].
“Mark Pope, him at BYU they were a great team, they shot a lot of threes. That’s kind of attractive to me as a player. He’s a great offensive mind, great coaching mind. It’s kinda hard not to like what he’s showing me right now.”[2]
Ament believes Pope’s system would be a great fit for his versatile game, which allows him to play multiple positions and excel in various facets of the game[2].
“I think that definitely fits my game,” he added. “I feel like I can play fast, be able to slow it down, be able to spread the ball, shoot the three, do whatever they need me to do.”[2]
The 6-foot-9 forward has been impressive during this week’s adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road Championship for Team Loaded VA, regularly scoring in double-digits while hauling in 10-plus rebounds on high efficiency alongside his four-star teammate Kaden Magwood, who hails from Louisville[2].
“I’m very versatile,” Ament said of his playstyle. “I can play a lot of positions, I’m really not boxed into a certain position. I can stretch the floor, I’m a great shooter, I can shoot from deep. I can put the ball on the deck and my mid-range game is one of the best in high school right now.”[2]
With his impressive skill set and potential, Ament has drawn interest from a host of top programs, including Virginia, Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, UConn, Tennessee, LSU, Indiana, Arkansas, and Oregon[2]. However, the question remains: Is Louisville the favorite?
The Cardinals have been actively recruiting Ament and have made a strong impression. In a recent article by 247Sports, it was reported that Ament is working on setting up visits while also hearing from new blue blood programs, including Louisville[5].
While Ament has not explicitly stated that Louisville is his favorite, the proximity of the school to his hometown and the potential to play in front of a passionate fan base could be appealing factors. Additionally, Louisville’s coaching staff has been diligently recruiting Ament and building a relationship with him.
It’s important to note that Ament has not yet scheduled any official visits, although he plans to do so once August arrives[2]. He wants to give all the schools a fair chance and find the best fit for his development and future success[2].
“I want to give everyone a chance because I feel like I want to go where I’m wanted and not somewhere it’s a huge name,” he said. “Somewhere they have a great developmental program and I can get better.”[2]
As for Kentucky, Pope and his staff have made Ament a priority and have been actively recruiting him since their arrival in Lexington[3]. The Wildcats have extended scholarship offers to Ament and other top prospects from the 2025 and 2026 classes, demonstrating their commitment to building a strong future roster[3].
Pope has expressed the significance of representing Kentucky in recruiting and the weight of his new position[3]. He has been dedicated to assembling a competitive team that meets the high standards set by the Kentucky basketball program[3].
While Kentucky may not be the favorite at the moment, Pope’s offensive philosophy, the program’s history of success, and the potential to play alongside other elite talents could make the Wildcats an attractive option for Ament in the long run.
- In conclusion, Nate Ament has been impressed by Mark Pope and the Kentucky coaching staff, and their offensive system seems to fit his playing style well. However, Louisville’s proximity and the potential to play in front of passionate fans could give the Cardinals an edge. Ultimately, Ament is taking his time to make the best decision for his future, and he will likely make his decision after taking official visits to his top schools in the coming months.