Nate Ament explains the background that led to the viral reaction from Rick Barnes during Vols’ win over Ole Miss
The Vols’ head basketball coach has meant a lot to Tennessee’s rising superstar.
Rick Barnes isn’t one you’ll see crack a smile or pump a fist too often. There have been rare moments, such as when Tennessee won at Kentucky a few years back. He’ll obviously also smile with his seniors on Senior Day.
But otherwise, Barnes has a very serious look at just about all other times during the game. Even when Tennessee beat Alabama on a buzzer beater by Jahmai Mashack at home last year while Barnes trying to call timeout, his reaction was basically to throw up his arms in an “oh well” moment as his players sprinted across the floor, and the Thompson-Boling Arena crowd broke out in ecstasy.
But Barnes let his guard down on Tuesday night in the Vols’ 84-66 win over Ole Miss. As freshman sensation Nate Ament subbed out of the game late, Barnes cracked a smile and exchanged a quick moment with his star as he headed to the bench.
“I wouldn’t trade Nate for anybody in the country because I think he’s been good all year,” said Barnes after the game.
But what did Ament have to say about the situation? According to the Vols’ star freshman, he’s been helping him try to stop putting pressure on himself, as well as helping him mentally with life off the court.
Nate Ament credits Rick Barnes with his turnaround by helping him mentally on and off the court
“It’s a very rare look for him to give anybody, to be honest, but you could just see he was proud of me,” Ament said after the game. “Me and him have been through a lot together. I mean, in terms of me talking to him and stuff like that. Just how we’ve been talking about how much I’ve been putting pressure on myself and stuff like that. He’s been helping me in so many ways, not just with my basketball game but also off the court mentally and stuff like that.
“I think he was just kind of proud of me to see that type of performance, so yeah, he’s just always happy for me and the whole team when we’re playing well.”
The proof is in the pudding. Ament has morphed into one of best players in the SEC since conference play got in full swing, and it’s crystal clear that Ament is playing with a lot more confidence in recent weeks.
On Tuesday night, he had his best half of the season. After putting up two points in a rough overall first half for the offense, he exploded for 26 points in the second frame. From a step back three, to a pull up midrange jumper to attacking the lane for an and-one, his complete offensive game was on full display as the Vols pulled away for a lopsided win.
It was a snapshot of why NBA scouts are drooling over his potential and why he’s starting to rise up mock drafts and prospect boards as the season goes along.
And Tennessee fans have their head coach to thank for helping to unlock his astronomical potential.
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