By ADAM ZAGORIA
Nate Ament, the No. 2-ranked power forward in the Class of 2025, has signed his first-ever equity NIL deal with Fanstake, a fan-driven platform that is expanding into college basketball.
“The NIL landscape is changing, and fans now have the chance to directly influence where top athletes like Nate Ament decide to play,” said Greg Glass, CEO and Co-Founder of Fanstake. “This is the future of college sports—fans actively participating in the recruitment process, helping teams stay competitive, and ensuring athletes understand their true market value. With Nate still uncommitted, now’s the perfect time for fans to stake their claims and help shape his decision.”
Ament is currently weighing offers from some of the nation’s leading basketball programs—publicly revealing for the first time the schools he’s officially considering are Alabama, Arkansas, BYU, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Texas. Duke and Tennessee are among the perceived favorites.
With Fanstake, fans from these universities can actively participate in the recruitment process by pledging financial support—known as “stakes”—to show their desire to bring Ament to their school. If he commits, the funds will be used to finalize an authentic NIL endorsement deal. If he chooses another path, fans get 100% of their contributions back, ensuring a transparent and fair system.
“I’m proud to partner with Fanstake,” said Ament. “This platform gives fans a unique way to be part of the recruiting process, which is pretty cool. I’m still weighing my options for where I’ll play, and there’s a lot to consider, but it’s exciting to see how fans can get involved in helping me find the right fit.”
As one of the top recruits in this class, Ament’s decision has captured nationwide attention. Fanstake offers fans a direct way to influence where he plays while showcasing the passion and commitment their programs bring to the table.
Ament’s agent, Derek Malloy of LIFT Sports Management, added: “Partnering with Fanstake to represent a generational talent like Nate Ament is a true testament to the power of equity in sports—providing young athletes the opportunity to realize their full potential and change the game for future generations.”
Fanstake, backed by a $3-million pre-seed round led by Susa Ventures and Will Ventures, is transforming the NIL landscape by helping athletes understand their true market value and giving fans a direct role in shaping the future of their favorite teams. Adding to this momentum, Fanstake recently partnered with standout Colorado quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, showcasing the platform’s growing influence across college sports.
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