Players vying for next year's NBA draft are contesting for stakes beyond just the basketball court
Nate Ament, an 18-year-old basketball player, is set to begin his freshman season for the Tennessee Volunteers. Hailing from a unique background, Ament's journey to college basketball is as inspiring as his on-court potential.
Born to Godelive Mukankuranga, a Rwandan woman of Tutsi ancestry, Ament's mother was denied the opportunity to attend public secondary school due to her heritage during the tumultuous times in Rwanda. Tragically, Mukankuranga lost several family members, including her mother, brother, and sisters, during the Rwandan genocide.
Ament's life took a turn for the better when his mother was offered a chance to study in Pisa, Italy through UNICEF. There, she lived with an Italian couple who eventually became her adoptive parents. Mukankuranga returned to Rwanda in 1995 after completing her nursing education to help with relief efforts.
Inspired by her resilience, Ament draws strength from his mother. Mukankuranga's strong work ethic and determination have played a significant role in shaping Ament's character.
Ament's mother remarried Albert Ament, a former basketball player at Wayne State University, in 1998, and they moved to Virginia where they raised four sons together.
Rick Barnes, who coached Kevin Durant during his lone college season in 2006, will be Ament's coach at the University of Tennessee. Ament's coaches at Tennessee are using Durant and Jayson Tatum as a foundation for how he should play.
Ament's talent on the court has not gone unnoticed. He is considered a top contender for the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft and is compared to future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant in terms of his shooting and dribbling ability.
Off the court, Ament is a high-character, family-oriented young man with a tremendous, caring support system. His mother's experiences have instilled in him a desire to use his success to help the country she had to leave, Rwanda, and serve as an example for the younger generation.
This summer, Ament made a visit to Rwanda where he coached at basketball camps, administered medical aid, and met with the country's minister of sport. Mukankuranga believes that her son's success could help the country she had to leave and provide a beacon of hope for the future.
However, Ament's mother finds it stressful to watch him play due to his strong emotional response to losing. Despite this, Ament is determined to make a name for himself as a unique player, different from other NBA talents.
Rwanda is still dealing with the legacy of the genocide, both internally and externally. Ament's journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the potential for healing and growth in the face of adversity. As he embarks on his college career, Ament's story continues to inspire and captivate, both on and off the court.
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