Five-Star Forward Nate Ament Flips Commitment to Duke Basketball Over BYU, Kentucky, and Louisville Cardinals
Nate Ament, a highly coveted five-star forward, has made a dramatic shift in his recruitment, flipping his commitment from the University of Louisville to Duke University. Ament, regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2025 class, had previously pledged to Louisville in a highly publicized decision last year. However, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, Ament has chosen to take his talents to Durham instead.
The 6-foot-9 forward, known for his versatile scoring ability and defensive prowess, had drawn attention from multiple high-profile programs throughout his recruitment. In addition to Louisville, Ament had been heavily pursued by basketball powerhouses such as Kentucky, BYU, and Duke. His decision to switch his commitment to the Blue Devils marks a major victory for Coach Jon Scheyer and his staff, solidifying Duke’s already formidable presence on the recruiting trail.
The Recruiting Battle
Ament’s recruitment was a long and often unpredictable journey, with several programs positioning themselves as frontrunners. Louisville had been in the mix early, and the program appeared to be a good fit for the talented forward, offering him the chance to play a key role in their rebuilding efforts. However, the allure of playing for one of the most storied programs in college basketball history, in the blue-chip program of Duke, ultimately proved too much for Ament to pass up.
Kentucky, led by the legendary Coach John Calipari, and BYU, which has been making significant strides in college basketball under Coach Mark Pope, were also major players in the recruiting battle. Both programs had invested significant time and resources into pursuing Ament, but it was the prospect of competing at the highest level of college basketball in the ACC, combined with the opportunity to develop under the guidance of Duke’s renowned coaching staff, that seemed to be the deciding factor.
The Duke Impact
Duke’s basketball program, under Coach Scheyer, has continued to recruit at an elite level. The Blue Devils have had a string of successful seasons, and Ament’s commitment adds to a loaded class that already includes several highly ranked players. Scheyer, who took over the program after the legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement, has shown he can recruit top-tier talent while also developing players into NBA-ready stars. Ament is expected to fit seamlessly into Duke’s style of play, which emphasizes fast-paced offense, strong defense, and the development of versatile players capable of playing multiple positions.
Ament’s commitment is not just a win for Duke on the court, but also in terms of recruiting momentum. The Blue Devils’ class is becoming one of the best in the nation, and Ament’s decision adds significant weight to their growing program. His scoring ability, particularly as a versatile forward who can stretch the floor, should give Duke an added dimension as they continue to build toward future championship contention.
A Look Ahead
The Blue Devils are now positioned to be one of the favorites for the 2025-2026 season with Ament in the fold. His versatility and ability to impact both ends of the floor will be crucial to their success in the coming seasons. For Ament, the move to Duke represents not only an opportunity to develop under some of the best minds in college basketball but also the chance to compete for national championships on one of the biggest stages in the sport.
As the 2025 recruiting class continues to take shape, Ament’s decision to commit to Duke is sure to have reverberations throughout college basketball. With one of the best players in the class now set to join their ranks, Duke looks primed for a bright future both in the ACC and on the national stage.