All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Recruiting: Five-Star Duke Target Attracts Tar Heels

UNC basketball's Hubert Davis checked out smooth 2025 forward Nate Ament at a tournament in Raleigh.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Nate Ament, No. 18 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, landed on the Duke basketball recruiting wishlist in September while visiting the Blue Devils. Eight miles down Tobacco Road, there had been no reports of UNC basketball interest in the Highland School (Va.) wing.

But on Wednesday evening, at the John Wall Holiday Invitational in Raleigh, third-year Tar Heel head coach Hubert Davis and an assistant returned to the hosting Broughton High School to watch Ament in action, per On3's Jamie Shaw. Courtside seats included Virginia Tech's Mike Young, plus assistants from Tennessee and LSU.

As Shaw noted in the following assessment of Ament's on-display versatile repertoire, the 6-foot-8, 170-pound silky five-star shined to the tune of 20 points and 11 rebounds, albeit in an opening-round 72-69 loss to nearby Millbrook:

"When it comes to high-end upside, Nate Ament has that in spades. Listed at 6-foot-8, and pushing 6-foot-9, he is calm, cool, and collected on the ball.

"Ament found himself as the primary initiator a majority of the possessions...He has a confident handle, able to get to his spots on the floor and not be in a rush to do things. Ament has a smooth jump shot, that he knocks down when he is able to step into it. Ament rebounded the ball well and scored comfortably at each level.

He boasts over a dozen offers. There's no telling if Davis and his crew will officially enter the battle against their archrival Blue Devils and the rest of Ament's suitors, including four other ACC programs in Virginia Tech, Virginia, Wake Forest, and Pitt.

That said, perhaps the stock-soaring high school junior made a lasting impression on the UNC basketball coaches with his latest performance.

Currently, nine 2025 prospects, all undecided in their recruitments, are on the Tar Heels' offer sheet.

Each is a five-star ranking among the top 20 in the cycle. Four of them hold Duke offers.

It's worth noting that, if nothing else, Nate Ament checks those boxes.

UNC's Hubert Davis Makes Appearance for Promising Recruit

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, 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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