Nate Ament '25: Character, Community, and the NBA

7/14/2026

Josie Ross

Summer life at independent schools is always exciting, but the summer of 2023 brought a unique energy to Highland. "Nate Ament was working out in our gym when I first met him—a shy, reserved, and well-mannered young man," recalls Highland Athletic Director, Coach Leake. "Beyond his elite basketball skill, it was obvious Nate was special. With an eye-to-eye greeting, a firm handshake, and an award-winning smile, I knew he would be successful."

That first impression set the stage for a legendary Highland career that would eventually take Nate all the way to the global stage of professional sports.

The Highland Foundation: Excellence Beyond the Court

From his first day on campus, Nate was determined to balance academics, athletics, family, faith, and friends. As his state and national basketball rankings skyrocketed, high-profile college coaches began visiting Highland weekly. Yet, through all the media noise and community attention, Nate remained completely grounded. The same tireless work ethic he demonstrated during grueling gym drills was prevalent in the classroom, where he maintained a near-perfect grade point average and earned the deep admiration of his teachers.

Because he handled every meeting with maturity and genuine respect, recruiters frequently pulled Coach Leake aside to ask, “Is he really like this all the time?” Coach Leake's answer was always an emphatic yes. "My endorsement of his character, leadership, and effort during the school day deeply resonated with them," he notes. "They were experiencing firsthand what I witnessed daily."

A Heart for the Community

Even as he closed in on a top-five national ranking, Nate never lost sight of the local community that supported him. In the winter on Saturday mornings, Highland’s basketball teams assist with the Young Hawks Basketball League, serving as coaches, mentors, and referees. True to his character, Nate was typically the first player to arrive.

He was often spotted huddled on the sidelines with a younger player, quietly working on individual skills to build their game and their confidence. "His reward," notes Coach Leake, "was always a soft-spoken thank you and their attendance at home games to cheer him on."

Rising to the Next Level

From Highland, Nate’s journey led him to the University of Tennessee. He made an instant impact as a Vol, proving that his commitment to community traveled with him to Knoxville. He quickly became one of the team's most popular players, frequently appearing in local outreach events and community initiatives.

Now, following a stellar collegiate career, Nate enters a thrilling new chapter: the NBA.

"Without hesitation, I assure the Milwaukee Bucks community that Nate will be a tremendous asset to both the team and their outreach," says Coach Leake. "Nate Ament is an incredible person."

Driven to Win the Right Way

Nate's meteoric rise is a direct reflection of being raised in a loving, supportive family, coupled with a deep commitment to his faith and an unwavering drive to win by doing things the right way.

When reflecting on Nate’s legacy at Highland and his bright future in professional basketball, Coach Leake points to a favorite quote from Coach Dabo Swinney: “Let the light that shines in you be brighter than the light that shines on you.”

The Highland community is incredibly proud of everything Nate has accomplished, knowing that his internal light will continue to guide him. Go Nate, Be Great!

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