VTTW Board Index

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/mens-basketball/2025/08/06/nate-ament-tennessee-basketball-rick-barnes-visit-recruitment/83417838007/ (https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/mens-basketball/2025/08/06/nate-ament-tennessee-basketball-rick-barnes-visit-recruitment/83417838007/)

summary for us out of towners?  :)

Rick, Gainey and Polinsky flew up
Ament went to wrong resturant
They meet up and Rick shows Ament the 1st half of a game with Durant as well how Rick coached him in-game.  Rick noted the simularities between Durant and Ament
Rick challenged him and asked if he was "up to the challenge"
Ament subsequently got in touch with Durant who sang the praises of Rick while noting that Rick would work to bring out the best that Ament could be and that Rick was a ?truth teller?
There was an issue with the local airport closing but in the end the pilot got the closing moved back
As the staff was leaving Rick left a mustard seed in a small bottle with Ament and left with this comment to Ament: "Whether you choose us or not, God has got a plan for you"

6 days later Ament committed to the VOLS

A couple of side notes:
Gainey was extremely instrumental in the success to bring Ament to the Hill
Also, the parable from the Bible (which Ament knew) is if someone possess faith the size a mustard seed, they can move a mountain.
BTW, the other teams in the competition for his services were called first, then he called Rick

 :thumbup:

Gracias!!