Sports Illustrated Projects Nate Ament No. 10 to Milwaukee Bucks in Latest Mock Draft

Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Sports Illustrated NBA reporter Derek Parker released his updated 2026 NBA Draft projections ollowing the NBA Combine on Tuesday, placing Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament at No. 10 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Ament averaged 16.7 points during his lone season at Tennessee and tied for the team lead with 6.3 rebounds per game. The Manassas (Va.) native earned All-SEC Second Team honors and collected 6 SEC Freshman of the Week awards while emerging as one of the most versatile scoring bigs in this draft cycle.

Parker wrote that Ament to Milwaukee “has been a popular selection, but makes sense on several different levels,” noting the Bucks could be approaching a future without Giannis Antetokounmpo and may look to build a new young core.

Parker added that Milwaukee would not need immediate star production from the 19-year-old, giving Ament time to develop in a low pressure environment as the franchise resets. “Milwaukee will have options, but with all the time in the world should feel comfortable taking some swings,” Parker wrote.

Ament is looking to become Tennessee’s first lottery pick since Marcus Haislip went No. 13 to Milwaukee in 2002 and the first Volunteer to crack the top-10 since Dale Ellis was selected No. 9 overall by Dallas in 1983.