Nate Ament, a 17-year-old Rwandan-American basketball sensation, has signed an endorsement deal with Reebok, solidifying his place among the top young talents in the U.S. Ament, currently ranked as a top-5 player in the Class of 2025 and the No. 1 player in Virginia, has drawn attention from top college programs including Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, UConn, and Virginia. His game is characterized by his versatility, combining elite scoring with lockdown defense—a modern NBA archetype.
Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Ament grew up as the youngest of four siblings. Following in the footsteps of his older brothers, he first gravitated towards soccer before transitioning to basketball at age 10. With a growing height, he quickly realized that basketball was his true calling. Ament honed his skills playing pickup games with his brothers and classmates, developing a fierce competitive streak that became the hallmark of his game.
“The part that I fell in love with was being able to play a sport where you can take someone 1-on-1 and try to beat them, both offensively and defensively,” Ament said in an interview. “I’m gonna stop you from scoring on me. I’m gonna make sure my team wins. That’s the competitiveness I fell in love with.”
Ament’s relentless drive and consistency have been key to his rapid rise in the basketball world. His achievements over the past year speak volumes—he took home a gold medal with the U18 USA Team at the FIBA AmeriCup and earned the prestigious Terrence Clarke Spalding MVP Award at the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6. He is known for his ability to dominate both ends of the court with a three-level scoring ability and exceptional defensive prowess.
Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), welcomed the news of Ament’s endorsement deal with Reebok, stating, “Very interesting development for this young man!” The deal with Reebok, a global sportswear brand, is expected to further elevate Ament’s profile as he prepares for the next stages of his basketball journey.
Despite his growing fame, Ament remains grounded, crediting his brothers and family for his motivation and work ethic. “They try to be the best at everything they can do, whether that’s sports, school, or life. I try to do that with basketball as well. I play hard for them,” Ament said, emphasizing that his ultimate goal is to represent his family and the name on the back of his jersey with pride.
As Nate Ament continues his journey towards becoming one of the most coveted prospects in basketball, his combination of skill, discipline, and family values sets him apart as one of the sport’s rising stars.
