Cabinet welcomes Nate Ament as Visit Rwanda global ambassador

Cabinet, meeting at Village Urugwiro on June 30, congratulated Rwandan-American basketball rising star Nate Ament following his entry into the NBA.

The Cabinet also welcomed Ament as Visit Rwanda’s first global basketball ambassador, a role aimed at promoting Rwanda’s sports and tourism internationally.

Born in the United States to an American father and a Rwandan mother, Ament becomes the first individual athlete to serve as an official global ambassador for Visit Rwanda.

The partnership will see him represent the destination internationally while inspiring young people through his story of perseverance and success.

Ament will participate in tourism campaigns, international promotional events, community initiatives and digital content designed to introduce global audiences to Rwanda’s landscapes, culture and heritage.

Ament is expected to engage young players in Rwanda through basketball clinics, mentorship programmes, youth development initiatives and community outreach activities aimed at supporting the next generation of talent.

Ament, 19, a former University of Tennessee forward, declared for the 2026 NBA Draft in April and was widely projected as a lottery pick.

He was selected 13th overall in the first round of the draft by the Miami Heat, who later traded his rights to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he is expected to begin his professional career.

During his time with the Tennessee Volunteers, Ament established himself as one of the most productive freshmen in the program’s history.

The 2.1-meter forward earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors six times—more than any other player in school history—and finished the season with 584 points, the third-highest total ever recorded by a Tennessee freshman.

He ranked second on the team in scoring, field goals made, three-pointers made, free-throw percentage, and blocked shots, while also setting freshman records for free throws made and attempts.

Ament was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and the All-SEC Second Team.

At the 2026 NBA Draft ceremony, Ament also drew attention for wearing a suit featuring the words “Visit Rwanda” on the front.