Vols Star Lands in Top Five of ESPN’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft

Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Every NBA team will be in Las Vegas next week to watch Tennessee’s Nate Ament.

In ESPN’s first 2026 NBA mock draft released Tuesday morning, Jeremy Woo projected Ament to go No. 4 overall to the Indiana Pacers 

The 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman has been extremely impressive early in his collegiate career, averaging 19.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists through four games while shooting 46.2% from the field.

He posted a 19 point, 10 rebound double-double last night against Rice and was honored with his second straight SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday.

Woo praised Ament’s early production but noted that next week’s Players Era Championship in Las Vegas will be a key evaluation point.

“Ament has been productive against lower-level opponents to begin the season and will be under the microscope next week in Las Vegas, with all 30 NBA teams expected to send decision-makers to the prospect-laden Players Era Championship,” Woo wrote. “Ament is still learning to leverage his 6-foot-10, 207-pound frame as a scorer, but it has been encouraging to see him attack downhill and draw fouls. Scouts will be eager to evaluate him against better competition, but his frame and skill set portend excellent upside as he gains experience.”