Mizzou’s Tamar Bates declares for 2025 NBA Draft

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou nation already knew that Tiger guard Tamar Bates would not be back for another season in the black and gold, after he used up his final year of eligibility in the 2024-25 campaign. But, on Tuesday night, the Kansas City native made it official: he is declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft.

Bates will hope to get a shot at the next level, after spending the last two years of his college career in Columbia. He started at Indiana for his freshman and sophomore seasons, before transferring to Mizzou ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Although his first season as a Tiger didn't turn out as he would have hoped, with no wins in Southeastern Conference action, Bates still found a way to shine. He was one of four players to appear in all 32 games, starting the final 25 contests of the season. In that season, he more than doubled his career average and ranked second on the team by averaging 13.5 points per game. Bates also set a new career high by making 49.5 percent of his field goals and 38.5 percent of his 3-pointers. His best outing came against Florida, when he tallied a career-best 36 points, which is still the most by any Tiger in an SEC game.

The 6-foot-5 guard stuck around for another year with head coach Dennis Gates and saw a much better result in his senior season. He helped lead the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament, earning a No. 6 overall seed in the 2024-25 campaign.

In his final collegiate season, Bates averaged 13.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 26.0 minutes per game. He ranked near the top of the team in points per game, 3-point percentage and steals.

Bates will hope to hear his name called in the NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 25. So far, he is the only Tiger to officially declare for the draft.