Nate Ament has officially put pen to paper on his first NBA contract after being chosen 13th overall by the Bucks in this year’s draft, as reflected in NBA.com’s official transactions log.
Milwaukee obtained the draft pick that became Ament through the blockbuster deal that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat.
Because that trade was not finalized until the NBA’s moratorium ended on Monday, Ament remained unsigned throughout the California Summer League and was unavailable to suit up for the Bucks.
Although his shooting percentages left room for improvement during his only college season, Ament still showcased his overall talent.
He converted 39.9% of his shots from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc in 35 appearances, while contributing 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steal in nearly 30 minutes per contest.
Scouts had differing opinions about Ament throughout the draft cycle.
The versatile 6-foot-10 forward entered the season as a projected top-five talent thanks to his perimeter-oriented skill set, but inconsistent play and an ankle/knee injury late in the year caused many evaluators to view him as a prospect who would require more development at the NBA level.
The injury also limited his impact during Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament run.
League observers believed the Bucks could select Ament as early as No. 10, but Milwaukee instead chose Arizona guard Brayden Burries with that pick before still finding Ament available three selections later at No. 13.
The rookie forward’s first NBA contract will pay him slightly more than $5.5 million in his debut season and is worth close to $26 million over four years.
Following Ament’s signing, only three first-round selections from this year’s draft have yet to finalize their rookie contracts.
Bucks Sign Nate Ament To Rookie Scale Contract https://t.co/iY6LXoRUI0
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 9, 2026
