John Calipari and the Arkansas basketball squad he’s building for the 2025–26 season wouldn’t exactly say no to 5-star forward Nate Ament if he ultimately opted to join the Razorbacks once he makes a decision.
Arkansas fans made their pitch when Ament visited during the regular-season finale against Mississippi State on March 8. The team put on a show early, jumping ahead with a solid lead, but nearly collapsed late before escaping with a narrow 93–92 win.
Standing at 6-foot-9, the Virginia native would strengthen a frontcourt that’s welcoming Nick Pringle and Malique Ewin but losing Jonas Aidoo to graduation, Adou Thiero to the NBA Draft, and Zvonimir Ivisic via the transfer portal.
Still, despite his high ceiling and media buzz, Ament’s reported NIL cost—rumored to be between $2.5 and $3 million—may be more than Arkansas wants to spend. And based on Arkansas’ needs following the Final Four, Ament may not bring the kind of rebounding and toughness necessary for deep postseason success.
Nike Hoop Summit Unveils Ament’s Weaknesses
Ament’s performance during the Nike Hoop Summit was far from impressive. Team USA defeated the World Select Team 124–117 in overtime in Portland.
Darius Acuff Jr., an Arkansas signee, stole the spotlight with 24 points, while Ament faded. According to Aran Smith of NBADraft.net, Ament played 11 minutes without taking a shot, notched two assists and one rebound, and had trouble asserting himself or impacting the game. He looked passive, despite good showings in practice. His skill set is evident, but his in-game assertiveness needs work.
He did manage to display some upside during practices, catching scouts’ attention with his versatility, rim-driving ability, and clean shooting form. Those attributes helped elevate him to the No. 4 player in the 2025 class per 247Sports, and some believe he could even be a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
McPherson Weighs In on Ament and Others
Arkansas basketball insider Kevin McPherson stirred the pot this week by claiming that Arkansas made Ament a significant NIL offer. While the Razorbacks aren’t currently favorites, they reportedly feel “still in it.”
National analyst Travis Branham added on Tuesday that momentum had shifted among Ament’s five finalists—Duke, Arkansas, Louisville, Kentucky, and Tennessee—saying Louisville and Arkansas were losing ground. “It’s really down to Duke, Tennessee, and Kentucky,” he said on the “College Basketball Show.”
That might work out best for Arkansas, which appears focused on locking down its current roster instead.
“Coach Calipari is going to have a foundation of returnees we haven’t had in years,” Arkansas analyst Matt Zimmerman said on 103.7 The Buzz. “It’s not just one or two guys—this is a real core.”
Zimmerman hinted that Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond are returning, joining a group that already includes Pringle and Ewin. Arkansas may still take three or four transfers, and whether they land Ament could decide the exact number. Ament’s underwhelming Nike Summit performance should factor into any financial decisions.
Zimmerman noted that Ament didn’t even play in the final minutes or overtime of the Summit game. Meanwhile, Acuff took over in crunch time.
“I watch what guys do when the pressure’s on, when the moment gets tight,” said McPherson. “And Acuff rose to it.”
Hoping for a Flagg, Not a Fall
Duke sees Ament as a potential Cooper Flagg-like force—Flagg led the 2024–25 Blue Devils to the brink of a title. Duke currently leads next season’s national title odds, while Arkansas opens at No. 7.
The risk is that Ament might be closer to Isaiah Evans, who barely contributed during Duke’s Elite Eight loss last season, or even Baye Fall, a McDonald’s All-American who never found his footing at Arkansas or Kansas State.
Fall, originally from Senegal, arrived in the U.S. at 15 and has struggled to adapt physically and skill-wise to the college level. Ament, raised in the U.S. and polished through elite prep competition, comes with different expectations—but the risk of disappointment remains.
Whether Ament joins Arkansas or not, his high cost could prevent a school from investing in an older, tougher transfer who might be better prepared to contribute right away.
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