Why Nate Ament could contribute to a championship in latest NBA draft projections
Three former Tennessee basketball players are closer to getting the phone call of their lives.
Nate Ament, Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara should all hear their names called at the 2026 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first round takes place on June 23, and the second round continues on June 24. Both telecasts start at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Ament has been a projected lottery pick since he first came to Tennessee a year ago. His performance fluctuated as he adjusted to the SEC and dealt with injuries later in the season, but he still averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a steal on 40% shooting and 33.3% from 3-point range.
Ament grabbed national headlines throughout the Vols’ Elite Eight run, but guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie ran the offense. The Greeneville native led the team with 18.4 points, 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals, and he played in all 37 games.
A lot of Gillespie’s assists went to his alley-oop partner, Felix Okpara. The springy 6-foot-11 center lived around the rim on both ends, fortifying Tennessee as one of the best defenses in the conference as an elite shot blocker. Okpara averaged 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
Nate Ament draft projection
Ament’s projected range a week before the draft is landing firmly between picks 10 and 13, which are held by the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat.
USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky predicts Ament to fall to the Thunder at No. 12. Many draft experts believe Ament will need time to adjust to the NBA due to his slender 6-10 frame, but he has the physical tools and skills to potentially become a star down the road.
“He was not as efficient during March Madness,” Kalbrosky wrote, “but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking this forward with a standing reach exceeding 9-foot-1 near the lottery.”
Both Bleacher Report and The Athletic agree with Kalbrosky and also has Ament joining the Thunder.
ESPN’s latest mock slots Ament at No. 10 to the Bucks. Sports Illustrated has Milwaukee taking him at No. 13 in a projected trade with Miami.
Ament’s NBA career could go in wildly different directions based on the team. If he goes to Oklahoma City, he’ll likely have less playing time and impact on a team that was one game away from making the 2026 NBA Finals. Meanwhile, Milwaukee could shift into rebuilding phase, making Ament the new face of the franchise.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Felix Okpara draft projection
Both Gillespie and Okpara are projected second-round picks. The Athletic has Gillespie going at No. 50 to the Toronto Raptors and Okpara at No. 48 to the Dallas Mavericks.
ESPN has a slightly higher view of both players. In their mock, Gillespie and Okpara go back-to-back at No. 41 and 42 to the Heat and San Antonio Spurs.
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Nate Ament, Ja’kobi Gillespie, Felix Okpara latest projections for 2026 NBA Draft
