Missouri guard Tamar Bates on the predraft process: 'It has been amazing and a blessing'
Missouri guard Tamar Bates on the predraft process: 'It has been amazing and a blessing'
Tamar Bates believes playing for two years at Missouri has helped prepare him for his upcoming team workouts and interviews ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.
Bates averaged 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals and one assist on 39.7% shooting from 3-point range as a senior this past season. He led the country in free-throw percentage (94.6) and ranked second in the SEC in true-shooting percentage (64.3).
The 6-foot-5 guard completed his third workout on Thursday with the Golden State Warriors. He has also visited the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz and is using one key philosophy instilled by Tigers coach Dennis Gates throughout the predraft process.
"I think, simply put, my time at Missouri has prepared me for where I am now, based on a phrase Coach Gates said every day: 'Giving your very best,'" Bates said. "That is how I've carried myself throughout my time at Missouri and throughout this process. A lot of teams have taken notice of that, and it has helped me a lot, especially being able to play in all of the events that I have been able to throughout this predraft process."
Bates was among the prospects who competed in the G League Elite Camp last week in Chicago, Illinois. He emerged as one of the top performers and earned an invitation to the combine, where he had a standout 19-point performance on May 15.
The 22-year-old is considered a potential second-round pick because of his shooting, physicality in the backcourt and length. He measured in with a 6-foot, 10 3/4-inch wingspan at the combine, which should intrigue teams at the next level.
Bates also dazzled last month at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. He has been among the early risers throughout the predraft process and is just grateful to have the opportunity to showcase himself in front of teams after four years in college.
"It has been amazing and a blessing for sure," Bates said. "A lot of guys wish to be in this position, and even some of my peers and friends that I've played with are going to be here soon. ... You're going from city to city, you might be a little tired, a little sore, but I've been telling everybody that these are great problems to have just because this is a dream that we've all been trying to accomplish."
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