‘Baby Kevin Durant’ Is Going To Be Special Says His New Enforcer

Image: Ryan Sylvia/Rocky Top Insider

By Cody McClure

Have you ever been more excited for a Tennessee basketball season in the month of July?

Maybe 2019? The way I remember it everyone was pretty confident in UT having an elite returning basketball team after the 2018 season.

This year’s team has me pumped. It doesn’t have the returning talent of that ‘19 team.

But the high-end talent… the potential… it feels like another run at that coveted Final Four could be on the horizon.

The 2025-26 Vols are going to be built differently than the 2024-25 Vols. They’ll have more depth this year, particularly in the frontcourt.

And in the backcourt you’ve got a proven guard in Ja’Kobi Gillespie coming in who can both score at a high level and run point.

But the prized jewel, a guy who could truly put UT over in terms of being championship-level, a guy who is going to be selected at the VERY top of the NBA Draft.

Nate Ament.

“Baby Kevin Durant” is what transfer big Jaylen Carey is calling him.

Carey is taking on the role of being Ament’s bodyguard this season.

“That kid’s gonna be special. He’s like a baby Kevin Durant,” Carey said per Rocky Top Insider. “I always tell him that I’m kind of like his bodyguard, I guess you could say.

“Whenever somebody’s bumping him around, I told him to let me know. Whenever you need, like on the floor if somebody hits you, just let me know. I got you. I want to take care of him because I know that kid’s gonna be real special, for sure.”

If somebody hits you, just let me know.

I already love this team.