Nater was born in the Netherlands and moved to the United States when he was 15. He attended UCLA, where he was a two-time All-American and led the Bruins to two NCAA championships. He was drafted by the Buffalo Braves in the second round of the 1973 NBA Draft.
Nater played for the Braves, San Diego Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, and the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Indiana Pacers in the ABA. He was a dominant rebounder and shot blocker, and was known for his hustle and determination. He was a key contributor to the Spurs' ABA championship in 1975.
Nater was named MVP of the ABA in 1975 and 1976, and was an All-Star in both leagues. He was also named the NBA rebounding champion in 1979 and 1980, and the ABA rebounding champion in 1975 and 1976. He retired in 1984 after 11 seasons in the NBA and ABA.
Nater was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. He is remembered as one of the greatest rebounders and shot blockers in basketball history.
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