Nate Ament injury update: Rick Barnes addresses freshman’s status after Alabama loss

Tennessee basketball suffered more than just a narrow defeat on Saturday night. The Volunteers’ 71-69 loss to Alabama was overshadowed by an injury scare involving star freshman Nate Ament, who exited the game twice after hurting his right leg.

With the SEC Tournament and March Madness fast approaching, all eyes are now on Ament’s health. Head coach Rick Barnes addressed the situation postgame, offering an update that provided some clarity but not complete certainty on the freshman’s condition.

Ament’s injury occurred midway through the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide. During a scramble for a loose ball, an Alabama player rolled onto Ament’s leg, leaving the Tennessee standout on the floor in visible discomfort.

Team trainers evaluated him courtside before he walked off under his own power with 7:42 remaining in the half. He did not return before halftime, though he was seen stretching in the tunnel.

Encouragingly, Ament reappeared at the start of the second half and even knocked down a jumper early after returning. However, the optimism was short-lived. Just minutes later, he headed back to the bench and was eventually ruled doubtful to return.

He later went back to the locker room, ending his night prematurely.

Ament finished with just two points on 1-for-5 shooting, a rare off night for a player who entered the contest averaging 17.9 points per game. He had scored in double figures in every game since early January and posted 20 or more points in six of his last 10 outings prior to Saturday’s loss.

Speaking after the game, Barnes revealed that Ament appeared to aggravate multiple areas in his right leg.

“I think when he hurt his knee a little bit, but he did tweak his foot he had turned at Missouri, that ankle,” Barnes said. “He tried, and if he can’t go, he can’t go because there’s no one tougher than him.”

The coach’s comments suggest that while the injury is concerning, it may not necessarily be a long-term setback. Barnes emphasized Ament’s toughness, noting the freshman attempted to play through the discomfort before ultimately being unable to continue.

Tennessee now faces an anxious wait with only two regular-season games remaining before the SEC Tournament in Nashville. The Volunteers are expected to receive an NCAA Tournament bid, but Ament’s availability could significantly impact their postseason ceiling.

For now, Tennessee fans can only hope that the freshman star’s exit was precautionary rather than severe. More updates are expected in the coming days as the program evaluates the extent of the injury.