Blue Devil Country

Kentucky Makes Move for Longtime Duke Basketball Target

Duke basketball won't get the first crack at impressing Nate Ament on an official visit.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer / Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
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Nate Ament visited the Duke basketball program last September and picked up an offer from Jon Scheyer before he left campus. But that was just an unofficial visit.

Thus far, the Highland School (Va.) smooth forward hasn't taken any official visits in his recruitment. As of Wednesday night, though, Ament has scheduled his first. And it's not a return trip to Durham.

No, according to a report from On3's Jacob Polacheck, the 6-foot-9, 185-pound five-star has locked in an official visit to Kentucky beginning Aug. 28.

It's worth noting that Ament, who has climbed 11 spots on the 247Sports 2025 Composite since landing on the Duke basketball wishlist and now sits at No. 13 overall among his peers, has held an offer from Kentucky for less than two months.

Polacheck added that the beyond-his-years talent, currently boasting roughly 30 offers and with every blueblood in hot pursuit, is unlikely to choose a winner before the early signing period in November. He's yet to name finalists, and no picks have popped up in the 247Sports Crystal Ball, On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, or Rivals FutureCast.

In July, Nate Ament informed League Ready that several schools are in the group contacting him the most, listing Duke, Kentucky, UNC, UConn, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisville, and Indiana.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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