Nate Ament to the Bucks? Why the 6-10 Tennessee Freshman Keeps Popping Up at Pick No. 10

The Milwaukee Bucks are staring down a fork in the road. After a decade of dominance built around a two-time MVP, the franchise is entering uncharted territory. For the first time since 2015, the Bucks will pick in the lottery, and they are locked in at No. 10 overall for the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23. The question is no longer about adding a complementary piece to a contender. It is about identity. It is about the future. And according to the first wave of post-lottery mock drafts, one name keeps surfacing as the most likely selection: Nate Ament of Tennessee.

The 6-foot-10 freshman small forward is not a perfect prospect. He is not a finished product. But in a draft class that lacks a clear-cut superstar at the top, Ament represents the kind of high-risk, high-reward swing that general manager Jon Horst has never shied away from. Let’s break down why the mock draft consensus is leaning toward Ament, what his tape reveals, and whether he is the right choice for a Bucks team that may or may not have Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster next season.

The Mock Draft Consensus: Why Nate Ament is the Favorite at No. 10

When you scan the first batch of mock drafts released after the lottery results, the pattern is undeniable. From ESPN’s Spencer Woo to Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the same name appears in the Bucks’ slot. It is not a coincidence. The Bucks have a specific need for versatile wing scoring and long-term upside, and Ament checks both boxes—even if his freshman season was a rollercoaster.

Spencer Woo of ESPN recently noted that while Ament’s stock has slipped from an early top-five projection, his production within a “tricky team context” at Tennessee kept him in lottery conversations. Woo wrote: “As a tall skill player with shotmaking upside, Ament fits a player archetype that teams often love to swing on. As Milwaukee considers a post-Antetokounmpo future, a malleable upside swing such as Ament could be a fit.”

That phrase—“post-Antetokounmpo future”—is the elephant in the room. The Bucks are not just drafting for 2026. They are drafting for 2027, 2028, and beyond. If Giannis requests a trade, as has been rumored following the draft lottery, the Bucks will need a young building block. Ament’s 6-10 frame with guard-like skills makes him a tantalizing project.

Scouting Report: The Good, The Bad, and The Ankle

Let’s get into the tape. Nate Ament arrived at Tennessee as a top-five recruit, a consensus five-star prospect with a reputation for silky shooting and fluid movement at an absurd height. But college basketball is a harsh proving ground. Ament’s freshman season started with a dreadful slump. He struggled to score efficiently, his defensive awareness was questionable, and his perimeter shot—the very thing that made him special—went cold.

Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports summed it up bluntly: “Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-foot-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively.”

Then came the turnaround. Over a six-game stretch in January and February, Ament flipped a switch. He averaged 23.8 points per game, hitting step-back threes, attacking closeouts, and showing the kind of shot-making that made him a household name in high school. For a brief window, he looked like the top-five pick everyone expected.

But basketball is cruel. Ament suffered an ankle injury that derailed his momentum entering March. He was never the same. During the NCAA Tournament, he struggled severely, and his team’s early exit amplified the questions about his consistency. Scouts are now split: Is Ament a future star, or is he a long-term supporting player?

Key Strengths of Nate Ament’s Game

• Elite positional size: At 6-10 with a reported 7-1 wingspan, he can shoot over most defenders and guard multiple positions.
• Shotmaking upside: When his rhythm is right, he can create his own shot off the dribble, something the Bucks desperately need.
• Malleable archetype: He can play as a small-ball four or a big wing, giving the coaching staff lineup flexibility.
• Second-half surge: His January/February stretch proves he can produce at a high level against SEC competition.

Key Weaknesses to Address

• Inconsistency: His shooting splits were erratic, and he disappeared in big moments.
• Defensive impact: He often gets caught on screens and lacks elite lateral quickness for a wing.
• Injury history: The ankle issue is a red flag, especially for a player who relies on fluid movement.
• Basketball IQ: Some scouts question his decision-making in half-court sets.

Why Jon Horst Will Take the Swing

If you know Bucks general manager Jon Horst, you know he does not draft scared. He traded for Jrue Holiday. He signed Brook Lopez to a bargain deal. He took a chance on Giannis’s development when others doubted. Horst has never been afraid to take risks, and the Ament pick fits his DNA perfectly.

Kevin O’Connor put it this way: “Bucks general manager Jon Horst has never been afraid to take risks though. If Ament pans out, it could look like a stroke of genius.”

That is the bet. The Bucks are not in a position to draft a safe, low-ceiling role player. They already have role players. They need a player who can, in two or three years, become a primary scoring option. Ament’s physical foundation and shotmaking potential offer that ceiling. Even if Giannis stays, the Bucks need a younger, cheaper wing who can develop alongside the Greek Freak. And if Giannis leaves? Ament becomes the centerpiece of a rebuild.

The alternative picks at No. 10 include safer options like Duke’s Caleb Foster (a steady combo guard) or UConn’s Liam McNeeley (a high-IQ forward). But neither has Ament’s raw tools. In a draft that is deep but not top-heavy, the Bucks can afford to gamble.

Predictions: What Happens on Draft Night?

I expect the Bucks to do extensive due diligence on Ament’s medicals and workout interviews. If his ankle checks out and he shows the same shooting touch in pre-draft workouts that he flashed in January, he will be the pick. The Bucks have a history of targeting high-upside wings in the draft—remember, they drafted Khris Middleton in the second round and turned him into an All-Star.

Here is my prediction: The Bucks will select Nate Ament with the No. 10 pick. They will sell the pick as a “best player available” move, but the subtext will be clear: they are preparing for a future that may not include Giannis. Ament will spend his rookie season in the G League or as a rotational bench piece, learning from veterans like Khris Middleton (if he remains) and Brook Lopez. By year two, we will see flashes of the star potential.

If the ankle injury scares them off, watch for a trade-down scenario. The Bucks could move back to the late teens and target a player like Kylan Boswell or Justin Edwards. But Horst loves swings. And Ament is the biggest swing on the board.

Conclusion: A High-Stakes Bet on the Future

The Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads. The Giannis era could end this summer, or it could continue with a retooled roster. Either way, the No. 10 pick is a golden opportunity to reshape the franchise’s trajectory. Nate Ament is not a sure thing. He is a project. He is a gamble. But in a league where 6-foot-10 players who can handle and shoot are the most valuable commodity, the Bucks would be foolish to pass on him.

The mock drafts keep saying the same thing. The analysts keep pointing to the same name. And if Jon Horst listens to the noise—and the tape—Nate Ament will be a Buck on June 23. Whether that pick becomes a stroke of genius or a cautionary tale will depend on development, health, and the ever-shifting landscape of the NBA. But one thing is certain: the Bucks are not playing it safe. And in this draft, that is exactly the right move.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.