​Four former Tennessee basketball players took the floor in the same game on July 12, this time as professionals. Nate Ament and the Milwaukee Bucks dropped a 90-80 decision to the San Antonio Spurs at the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, with Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Igor Miličić Jr., and Zakai Zeigler all appearing for San Antonio at Cox Pavilion. It was a small-world moment: Ament and Gillespie had been teammates during the 2025-26 season, a year after Zeigler and Miličić concluded their Tennessee careers.
Ament drew the assignment opposite Gillespie and Miličić to begin the contest, while Zeigler came off the bench with three minutes left in the first quarter. The Spurs seized control early, launching a 16-0 run that helped tilt the momentum in their favor. Gillespie initiated the burst with a step-back three-pointer and went on to score or assist on 10 of the 16 points in that stretch. The initial surge put the Bucks in a tough spot, forcing Ament and his teammates to scramble to stay in contact.
During the opening period, Ament faced a challenging defensive onslaught, and at one point he missed a three-pointer with Gillespie applying close, physical pressure. Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins joined the broadcast to talk through the early action, praising Ament’s defense after a sequence where he forced Spurs guard Jayden Nunn into a difficult miss. The feedback underscored Ament’s potential on the perimeter and his willingness to compete at a high level on that end, even while continuing to grow as a playmaker.
Beyond health-defense duties, Ament was leaned on as a ball handler throughout the game, a facet the Bucks emphasized as a growth area. He faced full-court pressure and at times struggled to advance the ball smoothly up the court against relentless coverage, highlighting the need for him to add strength and improve his ability to create off the dribble at the NBA level.
Miličić contributed a memorable moment in the third quarter when a turnover he initially created—an errant pass that Bucks wing Cormac Ryan intercepted—turned into a defensive stop as Miličić chased down the play and registered a crucial block to erase the mistake and reset the possession. The sequence showcased Miličić’s hustle and timing, traits that teams often value when assessing his potential at the professional level.
All three Tennessee alumni—Ament, Gillespie, and Miličić—were on the floor to close the game. Ament sealed the night with a high-energy finish, converting a drive into a powerful slam in traffic off a feed from fellow lottery pick Brayden Burries, bringing a moment of highlight-reel excitement for Bucks fans. The late sequence illustrated the growing chemistry among the young, developing players and hinted at what could be possible as they gain more professional experience together.
Zeigler, who had joined the action as a reserve, contributed in limited minutes but remained part of the Spurs’ late-game rotation, as San Antonio looked to secure the win with steady, purposeful ball movement and defense. Though the result did not go Milwaukee’s way, the contest offered meaningful learning opportunities for Ament, Gillespie, and Miličić as they navigate the Summer League grind, adjust to pro-level demands, and continue refining their roles within their respective teams.
In sum, the July 12 game brought together four Tennessee alumni who have embarked on separate but intriguing paths in the NBA. Ament’s development as a primary handler and defensive option for the Bucks, Gillespie’s impact as a two-way guard, and Miličić’s potential as a versatile big with shot-blocking instincts were all on display in a competitive Summer League setting. For fans and evaluators, the night provided a window into how these former Volunteers are continuing to adapt to professional life while building the connections and experiences that could shape their careers in the months and years ahead.