Boom! 6-foot-9 small forward out of Highland School (VA) Finally Makes Decision to Join Jon Scheyer’s Duke Blue Devils Bringing His Superstar Potential To Durham!

A commitment has emerged for the Five-Star Plus+ prospect.

In a major recruiting win for Duke, 6-foot-9 small forward Nate Ament, the top available prospect in the 2025 class, has officially committed to Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils. The Highland School (VA) standout, ranked No. 3 overall in On3’s Player Rankings, chose Duke over Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and Tennessee, delivering a massive boost to the Blue Devils’ future.

He previously considered programs such as Notre Dame, Alabama, BYU, Georgetown, Kansas State, and Texas.

Ament’s Path to Duke

On3’s Jamie Shaw recently wrote the following scouting report for Nate Ament:

Nate Ament is On3’s No. 3 overall player in the class. The 6-foot-9 wing has been in the top 15 recruits for this 2025 class for On3 since the October 2023 update. While then, Ament was an On3 outlier, he is now making his case to be mentioned in the same conversation as the No. 1 overall player. In fact, playing on the same court as Dybantsa tonight, Ament was the best player on the floor.

Ament showcased a clam floor game. He proved the defense, was comfortable on the ball, playing in the half-court, and able to get to the spots he wanted. For starters, Ament is a threat from 28-plus feet out. He pulled up multiple times in this one to knock it down. Ament has a quick release on his no-dip shot. While he does not have the explosive burst of others, he has the ability to utilize his dribble to get to his kill spots in the half-court. Ament showed multiple pull-ups and floaters in this one. He attacked from the wing and also set up in the mid-post.

Ament, despite his thin frame, also rebounded the ball well. This got his team out quickly as his teammates filled the lanes and the 6-foot-9 Ament pushed the break. His thin frame is something that will need to be addressed in the long run. He has narrow shoulders and thin ankles, so how much strength he could put on will be interesting to monitor. Ament is an excellent passer, very unselfish and he is a quick processor with the ball in hand.

While he might not have the strength and the athletic pop of others, his feel and basketball IQ complement his size and length very well. Ament is a high-level prospect, one who already has NBA scouts talking.

Ament’s recruitment has been one of the most followed storylines in the 2025 class. With elite size, versatility, and perimeter skills, he has been a priority for blue-blood programs across the country.

While Kentucky and Arkansas were considered strong contenders, and Tennessee made a late push, Duke’s culture, development track record, and playing style ultimately won out.

Why Duke?

Ament highlighted several key reasons for picking the Blue Devils:

Jon Scheyer’s Vision: Duke’s fast-paced, positionless offense fits Ament’s three-level scoring ability and high basketball IQ.

NBA Development Pipeline: Duke consistently sends top-tier wing prospects to the NBA, making it the ideal place for Ament’s long-term growth.

Winning Culture: The Cameron Crazies, ACC competition, and deep March Madness runs made Duke the perfect stage for Ament’s talents.

What Ament Brings to Duke

Ament is the definition of a modern small forward with:

Elite Length & Athleticism: At 6-foot-9, he can score inside and out, defend multiple positions, and impact the game in transition.

Three-Level Scoring: He has a smooth shooting stroke from beyond the arc, a strong mid-range pull-up game, and explosive finishing ability.

Defensive Versatility: His length and quickness allow him to guard wings, stretch fours, and even switch onto guards.

High Basketball IQ: Ament makes smart reads, moves well off the ball, and plays unselfishly within an offensive system.

Duke’s 2025 Class Just Got Stronger

With Ament now on board, Jon Scheyer has landed yet another elite recruit, strengthening Duke’s national championship aspirations. His commitment solidifies the Blue Devils’ reputation as one of the top destinations for five-star talent.

Final Thoughts

This commitment is a statement win for Duke, showing that Jon Scheyer can still attract the nation’s top prospects in the NIL era. Ament has the potential to be a future NBA lottery pick, and his arrival ensures that Duke remains a powerhouse in the ACC and beyond.

Blue Devil fans, get ready—Nate Ament is coming to Durham, and the future just got even brighter!