What five-star freshman Nate Ament said during his first Tennessee Basketball press conference

What five-star freshman Nate Ament said during his first Tennessee Basketball media availability on Wednesday afternoon at Pratt Pavilion:

What made Tennessee Basketball his choice, what has stood out about the Vols

“To answer your first question, what makes this team No. 1 to team to me is just how well we’re connected. Us having four freshmen and being kind of a new team with new faces on it, we’ve gotten connected so quickly. Also just our versatility offensively, we have so many different ways we can score. And I think we still have a lot of untapped potential defensively. So I think that once we get that down pat, then the sky is the limit for us.”

If he’s had a ‘welcome to Tennessee’ or ‘welcome to college basketball’ moment yet with Rick Barnes

“Well, I mean, he brings it every day in practice. I’m still having my ‘welcome to Rocky Top moments’ with him. He just wants me to be one of the best players that I can be. And probably one of the (moments), if I could mention one, was probably Jaylen Carey. I tried to go for a dunk on him and he put me on my butt. 

So that one that one kind of hurt. But I’m still having my welcome to Rocky Top moments.” 

How to contribute as a young player 

“I’ll probably say just my versatility, doing what coaches ask. Him being able to put me on, you know, any side of the ball and use me in so many different ways, whether that’s guard a forward, being able to guard guards and guard forwards is kind of what I’ve been showcasing the most, probably this offseason.”

Playing with Tennessee freshman point guard Troy Henderson in travel basketball, his scouting report

“He makes a lot of good reads. He’s a great point guard. When I played with him during travel ball, he got me to my spots and he just allowed me to play as a point guard. You love having someone that knows how to pass the ball. He’s a tough defender, picks up 94 feet. Strong, strong guard that has great leadership skill.” 

His recent trip to Rwanda and the eye-opening moments he experienced 

“My mom is from Rwanda and she has family out there, so we went to go see them. A little bit of business was done out there. And the best part, it was just the whole trip was great. Went to go see gorillas. I was just hanging out with my little cousins all the time. That was probably my favorite part, was just being with my little cousins I haven’t seen in four years. So I was grateful to get back out there … I’ve been there two other times. Last time I was there like four years ago.”

Playing pickup basketball with local kids during the trip  

“Yeah, it was awesome. I mean, right outside my hotel, there’s a pickup court. In Rwanda, they use sports to drive their economy, their society and everything. They’re trying to use that just build up their country. And seeing all those kids out there playing pickup just kind of lit a fire inside me. So I was like, yeah, why not? I’m going to go play five-on-five with some of my brothers and just kind of play with them. They beat us, actually. They beat us one game, but it was awesome.”

Playing soccer during the trip 

“I did. I went to their big arena that they host all things. I got to kick it the ball a little bit.”

What he has learned early on during his Tennessee Basketball career

“I mean, I just learned how to pick up information. Coach Barnes, Coach G (Garrett Medenwald), they love guys that know how to think quick, understand what they’re telling them, and can execute it to what they think they’re writing up. And from (the older players), I’ve just been trying to be a leader to all of us and trying to help us pick up the material as quickly as we can.” 

On what he’s enjoyed most about being at Tennessee

“I’ve enjoyed just getting to know the guys, playing golf with them, hanging out with them outside the court. It’s been a lot of fun.”

What initially drew him to Tennessee

“Initially it was Coach Barnes and all the coaching staff. I just have such a good rapport with all of them. Like, you guys saw Coach Gainey before that. Joking around and everything. Having that throughout the whole recruiting process has been truly special. And knowing that Coach Barnes is the person who he is who’s going to push you every day to be the best player you want to be. And me knowing that I have so much untapped potential, I have so much room to grow, I knew that he’d get the best out of me.”

If he’s seen the Tennessee fanbase buy into the players

“Yeah, for sure. I mean, if I’m honest, before I came on visit, I didn’t know much about the Tennessee program. I just knew about the coaches. And seeing all 21,000 of the fans screaming and getting loud for their team and supporting their team drew me for sure.”

What he appreciates the most about Rick Barnes besides coaching

“I would say me and him both kind of share our Christian faith that goes along with Tennessee’s it’s not about me mentality. He’s always trying to serve others and think of ways he can help other people. If you guys knew him on a more personal level, you guys know how much of a jokester he is. How much he likes to joke around. It’s hilarious. We have a great relationship and just having him around the building is just like a breath of fresh air. He’s a great person.”

What stood out about the environment at Food City Center during his visits

“Loud. It’s just loud. Pretty much every athletic event we have is just loud. The Tennessee fans just love to support their team and they love men’s basketball. So just a loud program.”

What he wants the Tennessee fanbase to know about him

“I mean, like I said earlier, it’s really not about me. What I did in high school or what I was before Tennessee. I’m here now. I’m here to work and I’m here to just try to bring as much winning and as much of everything I can, of Nate, to this program.”