In a thrilling development for the University of Tennessee men's basketball program, two standout players have been named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Late Season Team. Freshman forward Nate Ament and senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie have earned spots among the top 30 players nationwide, a testament to their exceptional performances this season.
Tennessee joins elite company, with only Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, and Texas Tech also having multiple players recognized. Within the SEC, they share the spotlight with stars like Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. and Alabama's Labaron Philon Jr.
Nate Ament, hailing from Manassas, Virginia, is making waves as one of 11 freshmen on the list. He's averaging an impressive 18.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Over his last 11 games, Ament has elevated his play, scoring 22.8 points per game and showcasing remarkable shooting accuracy: 45.2% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 84.4% from the free-throw line.
Ament's consistency is noteworthy, with 16-plus points in each of his last 11 games and 28-plus points in four of the last eight. His accomplishments have earned him spots on the midseason watch lists for both the Wayman Tisdale Award and the Julius Erving Award.
Standing at 6-foot-10, Ament's versatility is evident with six-plus rebounds in 17 games and four-plus assists in six outings. His accolades include five SEC Freshman of the Week honors and an SEC Player of the Week title.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie, a senior from Greeneville, Tennessee, is also turning heads. Averaging 18.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, Gillespie's impact is undeniable. He's hit double figures in 25 consecutive games, with standout performances like a 34-point game against Texas and a 32-point effort against Rutgers.
Gillespie's defensive prowess is equally impressive, setting a program record with eight steals in a game against Oklahoma. This achievement ties him for the fifth-highest total in SEC history. At 6-foot-1, Gillespie's leadership and skill have been pivotal for Tennessee, earning him an SEC Player of the Week award.
With a record of 19-7 overall and 9-4 in the SEC, Tennessee is gearing up for their next challenge against Vanderbilt. Catch the action live on ESPN this Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.