Nate Ament, a 6-foot-9 forward from Colgan High School in Virginia, has emerged as one of the top-ranked uncommitted boys basketball players in the ESPN 100 Class of 2025. UMass commit Ament is preparing to match up against the country’s best high school senior boys basketball players on Team USA at the prestigious Hoop Summit. As he navigates the gauntlet that is the top level of this sport, he experiences the unique burden of a stellar family legacy.
Ament’s dad, Albert Ament, became a star college basketball player at Wayne State University in Michigan. His accomplishments had an indelible impression on the program. In 2001 he was inducted into Wayne State’s Hall of Fame—a distinction that made him as proud as any. Albert currently owns a number of school records at the university, including being the single-season record holder for total points. His legacy features several top rankings in the program’s history. Career-wise, he is ranked third in field goal percentage, seventh in free throws made, tenth in rebounds and eighteenth in total points.
As Nate tries to make his mark on his own basketball career, his family’s past has a huge influence on how he sees the world around him. His mother, Godlieve Mukankuranga, has a tale that goes far beyond athletics. Born in Rwanda, she was a nursing student in Italy when the genocide erupted. Like many, Godlieve lost her mother during this tragic period, as well as more than a dozen family members. Though haunted by the hellish experiences she went through, Godlieve’s fierce independence and strength take root as she looks back on where life has led her.
“I still have some pain, but then the reason I went back to Rwanda was to make myself hurt and understand how I can move on by looking at the people who left,” – Godlieve Mukankuranga
Her passion has helped to light a fire under Nate. He is intensely aware of the privilege inherent in his position as an athlete and the responsibility that comes with it. He harbors an eternal appreciation of gratitude for his family’s support. He adds, “They’ve kept me and my feet on the ground and humble, always making sure I handle my business.”
Complementary to this work have been Nate’s personal trips to Rwanda with his family in 2016 and 2020. Through these trips, their impact on her family and how even today, families are defined and undefinable by borders. Godlieve recognizes that her relationship with faith isn’t easy after experiencing such deep loss.
“I was raised as a Catholic, going to church every Sunday — not even one Sunday without going to church — when all of this happened,” – Godlieve Mukankuranga
Her struggle with faith is deeply felt as she recounts the day that altered her world forever.
“I say, ‘There is no God.’ Some people died in church. God didn’t do anything and I started losing my faith completely,” – Godlieve Mukankuranga
Godlieve approaches these hardships with optimism and tenacity. She has a wonderful can-do attitude about her life in Italy, where her adopted Italian family gives her the structure and love she needs to thrive.
“And then I consider myself lucky because I have my adoptive parents, I have friends in Italy. I have everything I need in Italy. The other people who left Rwanda did not have anybody with them, especially the kids,” – Godlieve Mukankuranga
Now, Nate is in the thick of hearing offers from many of the most elite college programs in the country. He’s considering offers from the likes of Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisville and Tennessee. As he considers his options and possible moves heading into next season, he is mindful of and respectful towards the recruiting process.
“Obviously, I’m trying to be respectful of the coaches and their time and effort they are putting into recruiting me,” – Nate Ament
As Nate looks toward his future beyond basketball, his family’s legacy still travels with him. Godlieve’s determination and Albert’s memory are perhaps the deepest, most profound reminders of what it means to achieve greatness born out of adversity. Because of their guidance, Nate is now a gifted young athlete. They’ve allowed him to raise strong values and a clear perspective.
“But I’m really just trying to take time to not rush a decision, to make the right decision. I’m putting in as much time and energy and focus into the right school and making sure that whatever choice I pick, I have no doubts or no second thoughts,” – Nate Ament
As Nate prepares for his future on and off the court, his family’s history continues to guide him. Godlieve’s resilience and Albert’s legacy serve as powerful reminders of what it means to overcome adversity. They have shaped Nate into not only a talented athlete but also a young man grounded in values and perspective.
“You see how he doesn’t pay attention too much [to all the attention]. He’s not stressed out. And if he is not stressed out, there’s no need for us to be stressed. He is handling everything very well,” – Godlieve Mukankuranga
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