Ament, whose mother is Rwandan, is set to join the University of Tennessee Men's Basketball Program this fall and is widely projected as a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
At a time when his profile is rising, Nate chose to step away from the U.S. spotlight to spend time in the country he calls his second home, reconnect with family, and inspire the next generation of Rwandan athletes.
It was an opportunity for Ament to engage directly with young people through basketball sessions in Nyamirama, where local players, school children, and community members gathered for a day of sport, celebration, and learning.
The visit was hosted on courts developed by Shooting Touch, a nonprofit that has worked in Rwanda for over a decade to combine basketball with community health and youth empowerment.
Nate shared skills, played in scrimmages, and even joined in local dances with youth and women's teams. These moments of joy and interaction highlighted a key message: that basketball is as much about relationships and shared experiences as it is about performance.
For many young players, Nate's presence served as living proof of what can happen when hard work meets opportunity.
While the day included training sessions, games, and plenty of laughter, it also offered access to free health screenings â€" a reminder that sport can be a gateway to wider opportunities and well-being.
Reflecting on the visit, Shooting Touch's Director of International Strategy and Programming, Chloe Rothman, emphasized the value of building courts within communities and pairing them with comprehensive health programs around the game.
'Our goal is to ensure athletes aren't just healthy enough to play, but equipped to thrive long after their time with us. Having Nate Ament â€" arguably the most influential figure in Rwandan basketball to date â€" here with us, embracing our 'bigger than basketball' mission, means the world to our team and our community,' she said.
A homecoming rooted in family and service
Nate's Rwandan connection runs deep. His mother, Godelive Mukankuranga, and father, Albert Ament, met in Rwanda in 1998 while working in health and humanitarian development.
Guided by the values instilled by his parents, Nate believes in using his talents to uplift others â€" a belief that shaped his activities during this trip.
One of the most meaningful moments came when students from the Itetero Kayonza Nursery and Primary School, run by Nate's aunt, joined the basketball clinic.
For Nate, seeing his extended family alongside local children created a shared space where sport, culture, and heritage intertwined.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/sports/article/nba-prospect-nate-ament-inspires-young-players-in-kayonza
