2025 Target List

#1,826
#1,826
Derek Reese's jumpshot said:
Ament is really milking this. The article said it could take two more weeks lol. I’m sure in two weeks, he’ll say he needs another month.
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Ament is poised and operating with more wisdom then the other recruits... it's frustrating for us waiting (maybe) but it also says a lot about his character in a good way and how patient he is and not just jumping at the first deal that looks beautiful... wisdom is better than riches - and seeing several interviews of a what seems to be humble and kind Ament always talking about how he has wanted to see how the portal goes and if what the teams are saying to him is actually true.

Fans perspective I get it, it sucks because everyone is waiting... but any smart man with wisdom would know that he is doing the best thing for him and his family right now and you can tell he wants to make the right decision the first time because he is only going to have one year in college and the place he goes could be the difference of him being the number one overall draft pick or the number 10 overall draft pick. He is not like most high school seniors there's a lot of maturity here and we would be lucky to have him
 
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#1,828
#1,828
Dougie_D said:
I wonder if this "waiting" is because of Isaiah Evans??
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Could be part of the reason, but imo I feel like it's a combination of things including who stayes/leaves Duke and what portal additions we make, not to mention his development and being allowed to make mistakes with the opportunity to correct them while staying on the floor. Of course there are other reasons but some of the ones I've seen him point out specifically and some are just my personal opinion.
 
#1,829
#1,829
Dougie_D said:
I wonder if this "waiting" is because of Isaiah Evans??
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Also, I wanted to point out something that I personally feel is a major reason he is taking his time...He could come here and be "the guy"/major focal point of our team whereas if he goes to Duke he has to compete for playing time and sharing the spotlight with several other big names. Sometimes players want to carve their own path instead of being overshadowed by your 5 star teammates.
 
#1,831
#1,831
VolFreakJosh said:
It’s really going to come down if Ament trust Barnes and wants to be developed or just take the easy path and share the floor with a bunch of other 5* recruits.

Hopefully it’s us.
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Exactly. Which could be the main reason we are so deep in his recruitment right now.
 
#1,832
#1,832
It's worth noting that in one of his latest interviews with a Louisville reporter he stated that he wants to go to a school where the coach is going to allow him to fix his mistakes when he makes them on the court to be able to play through it. Instead of a coach pulling him for every little mistake.

I know how we can be over here, so it made me raise an eyebrow. hopefully we can be a place to allow him to make mistakes and play through and learn from it. Lord knows we've seen bench guys stay on the bench all game and even multiple games for mistakes 😆
 
#1,833
#1,833
VolHoopsInTheMix said:
It's worth noting that in one of his latest interviews with a Louisville reporter he stated that he wants to go to a school where the coach is going to allow him to fix his mistakes when he makes them on the court to be able to play through it. Instead of a coach pulling him for every little mistake.

I know how we can be over here, so it made me raise an eyebrow. hopefully we can be a place to allow him to make mistakes and play through and learn from it. Lord knows we've seen bench guys stay on the bench all game and even multiple games for mistakes 😆
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That is not exactly a fully accurate picture. There are non-negotiables that you will be help accountable for. And that starts in practice and extends into games. Players that habitually fail to uphold those non-negotiables will have very little leeway. And then there is also the obvious balancing of the scale. A player that provides a lot of other positive contributions (scoring, rebounding, toughness, or whatever it is) will continue to get PT along with mistakes because the scale still balances in their favor. If you don't contribute much in other areas AND you fail to play with the effort and mental discipline then you are not going to get minutes.
 
#1,834
#1,834
therickbol said:
That is not exactly a fully accurate picture. There are non-negotiables that you will be help accountable for. And that starts in practice and extends into games. Players that habitually fail to uphold those non-negotiables will have very little leeway. And then there is also the obvious balancing of the scale. A player that provides a lot of other positive contributions (scoring, rebounding, toughness, or whatever it is) will continue to get PT along with mistakes because the scale still balances in their favor. If you don't contribute much in other areas AND you fail to play with the effort and mental discipline then you are not going to get minutes.
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I know that and respect it. I've seen both sides of that. Example: I seen Justin Powell flourish at Auburn & WSU & even play for NBA team the Cleveland Cavaliers but there were definitely defensive non-negotiables that caused him not to be able to be who he was capable of being here at Tennessee... Darlinstone Dubar we have seen him do well in games just for him to not get back in the game and in coach interviews it was said well maybe we should have put him back in the game but we didnt... lol ... there's always two sides to your statement I'm not wrong and you're not wrong the obvious is obvious.

So to go back to my point that is a big thing on his heart in this recruitment process he wants to play for a coach that will allow him to make mistakes but to fix those mistakes and to keep him in the game. Therefore that made me raise an eyebrow and rightfully so. I hope more than anyone Ament ends up a Vol, but the words coming out of his mouth gives us a clearer picture of what he's looking for
 
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#1,836
#1,836
VolHoopsInTheMix said:
I know that and respect it. I've seen both sides of that. Example: I seen Justin Powell flourish at Auburn & WSU & even play for NBA team the Cleveland Cavaliers but there were definitely defensive non-negotiables that caused him not to be able to be who he was capable of being here at Tennessee... Darlinstone Dubar we have seen him do well in games just for him to not get back in the game and in coach interviews it was said well maybe we should have put him back in the game but we didnt... lol ... there's always two sides to your statement I'm not wrong and you're not wrong the obvious is obvious.

So to go back to my point that is a big thing on his heart in this recruitment process he wants to play for a coach that will allow him to make mistakes but to fix those mistakes and to keep him in the game. Therefore that made me raise an eyebrow and rightfully so. I hope more than anyone Ament ends up a Vol, but the words coming out of his mouth gives us a clearer picture of what he's looking for
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I'm wondering what "mistakes" he is referring to. Turnovers? Foul trouble? Losing his man on defense? Not boxing out? etc.. Those seem valid points to bench someone if he continues to do it.
The one thing that's troubles me is Paulo Banchero (who is Nates mentor). Remember, his recruitment came down to Duke vs Tennessee too. He ended up playing for coach K and got drafted number 1 in NBA. Also, he was coached by Jon Scheyer as an assistant. There's a part of me that feels like the family (and even Nate) prefers Tennessee but Paulo can provide comfort of what to expect at Duke.
 
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#1,837
#1,837
Dougie_D said:
I'm wondering what "mistakes" he is referring to. Turnovers? Foul trouble? Losing his man on defense? Not boxing out? etc.. Those seem valid points to bench someone if he continues to do it.
The one thing that's troubles me is Paulo Banchero (who is Nates mentor). Remember, his recruitment came down to Duke vs Tennessee too. He ended up playing for coach K and got drafted number 1 in NBA. Also, he was coached by Jon Scheyer as an assistant. There's a part of me that feels like the family (and even Nate) prefers Tennessee but Paulo can provide comfort of what to expect at Duke.
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Good question from the interview it sounded like he just wanted to play for someone who would let him just learn from mistakes he made on the court and right those wrongs instead of always pulling him out for every little mistake like most coaches do with freshmen...

He was also talking about in the interview that it's taking him awhile because he wants to see what the teams are doing in the portal that is recruiting him. He wants to see if the teams are loading up at his positions etc. He was saying that sometimes recruits commit to a program and they are promised all kinds of playing time and then they load up with like eight more guys and the playing time is more limited due to that. So he was playing it smart by waiting
 
#1,838
#1,838
VolHoopsInTheMix said:
Good question from the interview it sounded like he just wanted to play for someone who would let him just learn from mistakes he made on the court and right those wrongs instead of always pulling him out for every little mistake like most coaches do with freshmen...

He was also talking about in the interview that it's taking him awhile because he wants to see what the teams are doing in the portal that is recruiting him. He wants to see if the teams are loading up at his positions etc. He was saying that sometimes recruits commit to a program and they are promised all kinds of playing time and then they load up with like eight more guys and the playing time is more limited due to that. So he was playing it smart by waiting
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I get that is a smart way to approach it on paper, but to me, it can also come across as someone who is scared of competition and has a sense of entitlement. The best programs are going to keep recruiting talent. Iron sharpens iron. If that's your approach, then go to some mid level program where they will cottle you for hsving 5 stars next to your name.

Sorry, buy even the best players get benched for mistakes or ineffective performance under Barnes. Just look at Chaz Lanier. Yet Chaz always talked about how blessed he was to be at Tennessee and how grateful he was to come here. Older, mature players understand the expectation and don't shy away from it. I think that's why Barnes has gravitated more towards signing upperclassman the last few years.
 
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#1,839
#1,839
VolHoopsInTheMix said:
Good question from the interview it sounded like he just wanted to play for someone who would let him just learn from mistakes he made on the court and right those wrongs instead of always pulling him out for every little mistake like most coaches do with freshmen...

He was also talking about in the interview that it's taking him awhile because he wants to see what the teams are doing in the portal that is recruiting him. He wants to see if the teams are loading up at his positions etc. He was saying that sometimes recruits commit to a program and they are promised all kinds of playing time and then they load up with like eight more guys and the playing time is more limited due to that. So he was playing it smart by waiting
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Makes me feel like he's definitely waiting for Evans to decide if he's staying at Duke. There's more minutes to play at TN even if YOU ARE NOT a top recruit.
 
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#1,840
#1,840
vavolfan6 said:
I get that is a smart way to approach it on paper, but to me, it can also come across as someone who is scared of competition and has a sense of entitlement. The best programs are going to keep recruiting talent. Iron sharpens iron. If that's your approach, then go to some mid level program where they will cottle you for hsving 5 stars next to your name.

Sorry, buy even the best players get benched for mistakes or ineffective performance under Barnes. Just look at Chaz Lanier. Yet Chaz always talked about how blessed he was to be at Tennessee and how grateful he was to come here. Older, mature players understand the expectation and don't shy away from it. I think that's why Barnes has gravitated more towards signing upperclassman the last few years.
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Regarding your Lanier, Knecht reference - at Aments age they were relatively unknown/not highly sought after & not at that level where they could go about the recruitment process like Nate is now.
Nate Ament is under a microscope while still in high school. Not many young high schoolers would handle that too well, but he seems poised & real grounded in his faith and a great interviewer.

Lanier & Knecht journeys to TN they had to overcome a lot as underdogs & rose up those rankings after 4 years of college before coming to TN while maturing a lot & respecting the grind in the process.

Ament doesn't seem like he wants to be cottled - he just has preferences & certain things he is looking for. Fortunate for him, he has the skillset at his age to play that game & he's worked hard to get there as someone who has been referred as the most "skilled" 2025 recruit overall, while being the 4th ranked. It's like being skilled at what you do as your profession - often times the interview goes both ways - you aren't begging for the job (because you are highly qualified & they need what you can provide) if they dont meet your requirements or families needs - (you will go elsewhere)

Nate Ament is not cottled, he's a smart young man who seems to be business savvy- and that will serve him well in the NBA after his 1 & done season
 
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#1,841
#1,841
Besides Nate being all business, (which he should!) , I still think that a kid should experience college for what it is. Yeah Duke is a "basketball" school , but with TN it's legit 3 way sport AND the type of arenas/stadiums these kids play on is unreal. Plus the SEC has become the new ACC. Tennessee plays Arkansas, Kentucky, AND Louisville next year! Duke is like a Gonzaga... they can coast their way into the big dance. If you factor scheduling, then you'd have to pick TN, right?! Crossing fingers we get good news!
 
#1,849
#1,849
TrapVol said:
Would be nice to get another under the radar surprise. Hopefully, he ends up having an impact closer to Zakai Ziegler rather than Daniel West.
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Yo that's a name I completely got out of my brain until you mentioned him lol.

It also makes me appreciate how good of PG's we have had since Barnes has been here. He converted Punter into a serviceable PG who was a scorer first. Then Bone, KC, and ZZ.

Bruce kind of struggled getting us a great PG. Maze was his best (not counting CJ since he was here already)... He had Melvin Goins, but he wasn't on the level of CRB PG's.

Missed out on guys like Aaron Craft (downfall) and Josh Selby (was a bust anyways)... Then you got CCM who has Trae Golden and Antonio Barton. Tyndall had to use JRich as a PG.

We went through some dark years at the PG position. I fully trust that CRB sees something in Troy.
 
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#1,850
#1,850
Stoked said:
Yo that's a name I completely got out of my brain until you mentioned him lol.

It also makes me appreciate how good of PG's we have had since Barnes has been here. He converted Punter into a serviceable PG who was a scorer first. Then Bone, KC, and ZZ.

Bruce kind of struggled getting us a great PG. Maze was his best (not counting CJ since he was here already)... He had Melvin Goins, but he wasn't on the level of CRB PG's.

Missed out on guys like Aaron Craft (downfall) and Josh Selby (was a bust anyways)... Then you got CCM who has Trae Golden and Antonio Barton. Tyndall had to use JRich as a PG.

We went through some dark years at the PG position. I fully trust that CRB sees something in Troy.
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Lol, I wondered how many would remember that name. I remember getting my hopes up for Daniel West, that he was a diamond in the rough. That is, until I saw him getting owned by BMaze in the Rocky Top League. Not that the RTL was the best barometer for predicting the impact a player would have, but you could just tell he was not an SEC level player. You’re right though…Bruce definitely struggled bringing in point guard talent, which was baffling to me.
 
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