Bucks select Nate Ament as the 13th pick from the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

Welcome to the Bucks Era Without Giannis

The Bucks have officially entered a new chapter following the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the 13th pick received from the Heat, they selected Nate Ament, a forward from Tennessee.

Ament is quite a catch—regarded as the third overall player in the 2025 class, he also ranks as the second-best small forward nationally and the top player in Virginia, according to On3.

This talented freshman made a significant mark on the defensive midfield last season, averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 35 games. He played every game, logged nearly 30 minutes per match, and shot about 39.9 percent from the floor, including 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Throughout his one year at Tennessee, Ament racked up several accolades, including seven SEC weekly honors and a place on the second-team All-SEC.

At just 19 years old, he helped lead the Volunteers to an Elite Eight finish, where they managed to topple teams like Miami (Ohio), Virginia, and Iowa State before being outmatched by Michigan State, the eventual champions.

Ament was picked just three selections after Brayden Burries, an Arizona guard who played a key role in getting the Wildcats to the Final Four; Burries was taken 10th overall.

With the trades of both Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, the Bucks seem to be heading into a rebuilding phase, a departure from their previous status as playoff contenders. In this major deal, they also acquired Keel Ware, a first-round pick in 2024, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., a first-round pick from 2023. These moves could aid in establishing a promising young core alongside Berrys, Ament, and Ryan Rollins, all under Taylor Jenkins’ first season as head coach.