Following the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery this week, several analysts have begun projecting where Rwandan-American rising star Nate Ament could land when the NBA Draft takes place on June 23. The NBA Draft Lottery determines the order in which teams that missed the playoffs select players in the draft. The higher a team picks, the better its chances of securing one of the top prospects, making the lottery a key moment for franchises looking to strengthen their squads for the future. Ament, 19, who previously starred for the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball, declared for the 2026 NBA Draft in April and is widely viewed as a potential lottery pick. Reacting to the lottery results, ESPN analyst Jeremy Woo was among the first to share his projections for the talented forward. Woo believes Ament could be selected inside the top 10, with the Milwaukee Bucks emerging as a possible destination. “Milwaukee had just a 3.1% chance of moving into the top four, requiring a scenario in which both New Orleans' pick and its own jumped in the lottery, which would have conveyed the worse of the two,” Woo stated. “The Bucks desperately need backcourt help but should be thinking best available, considering the uncertainty around the team’s trajectory and with ownership wanting clarity on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future by draft night. While they don't control their own picks over the next few seasons, they could still be operating with a longer view if they opt to part ways with their franchise player.” Woo also noted that Ament’s draft stock has slightly dipped compared to earlier projections. “While Ament's stock has slipped from an early top-five projection, he had productive stretches this season within a tricky team context and has room to help himself in workouts,” Woo said. “Although scouts are split on whether he has star potential or projects better as a long-term supporting player, there is still plenty of intrigue around Ament in the lottery. As a tall, skilled player with shot-making upside, Ament fits a player archetype that teams often love to gamble on. As Milwaukee considers a post-Antetokounmpo future, a versatile upside swing such as Ament could be a strong fit.” During his time with Tennessee, the 2.1-meter forward established himself as one of the most productive freshmen in program history. Ament earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors six times—twice as many as any other player in school history—while his 584 points ranked as the third-highest total ever by a Tennessee freshman. He finished second on the team in scoring, field goals made, three-pointers made, free-throw percentage, and blocked shots. Ament also set freshman program records for made free throws and free-throw attempts, earning recognition on the SEC All-Freshman Team and the All-SEC Second Team.
