Nate Ament NBA mock draft projection: Where Tennessee star is expected to land

March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Tennessee's Nate Ament  is expected to go in the first round.

Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the forward's draft night will play out.

Nate Ament 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 11 overall, Portland Trail Blazers

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is starting to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. It will only take one team to fall in love with Ament and given so much of what he brings to the table cannot be taught, that team is probably picking fairly early in the lottery.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Nate Ament player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

• Position: Forward

• Current Team: Tennessee

• 17.5 points per game

• 6.6 rebounds per game

• 2.5 assists per game

• 40.5% field goal percentage

• 33.1% three-point field goal percentage

Portland Trail Blazers 2026 projected draft picks

• No. 11

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nate Ament NBA mock draft projection: Where Tennessee star is expected to land