Nate Ament, the nation’s top-ranked five-star forward in the Class of 2025, is approaching his college decision, with Kentucky, Louisville, and Duke among his final choices. The 6-foot-9 standout from Highland High School in Manassas, Virginia, has scheduled his announcement for April 1 during the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Ament’s recruitment has been highly competitive, with each program presenting compelling arguments:
– **Louisville Cardinals**: The Cardinals have made significant strides, securing commitments from five-star point guard Mikel Brown Jr. and four-star power forward Lowen Braunschweig. Ament took an official visit to Louisville on October 11, 2024, and the program has been actively pursuing him.
– **Duke Blue Devils**: Duke has already landed commitments from the Boozer twins—Cayden and Cameron—as well as four-star forwards Shelton Henderson and Nikolas Khamenia. Ament received an offer from Duke on September 16, 2023, and has since taken both unofficial and official visits, including attending the ACC Tournament championship game.
– **Kentucky Wildcats**: Under head coach Mark Pope, Kentucky has been actively recruiting Ament, with Pope personally engaging with him during visits. Ament attended a game in Knoxville where Kentucky defeated Tennessee, providing an opportunity for direct interaction with the coaching staff.
Analysts suggest that Louisville and Duke are currently leading the race for Ament’s commitment. Reports indicate that Louisville has made a substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) offer, positioning them as a strong contender. However, Duke’s successful recruitment of top-tier talent and Ament’s multiple visits to their campus keep them firmly in contention.
As the April 1 announcement date approaches, the basketball community eagerly awaits Ament’s decision, which will significantly impact the landscape of college basketball for the 2025 season.
