Mizzou's Bates Moving Up NBA Draft Boards; The Buzz, Memorial Day Weekend 2025

Your daily briefing on what’s going on with Mizzou athletics, including full TV listings.

Feb. 25, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Tamar Bates Grill in the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Mizzou Arena. | Amber Winkler / Missouri On SI

Missouri men's basketball guard Tamar Bates has been rising up draft boards over the last month, making the most of the pre-draft opportunities.

His standout performances at the NBA G League Elite Camp and NBA Draft Combine placed him at No. 20 on the draft big board from NBADraft.net. He landed just three spots behind Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis.

READ: How Mizzou's Tamar Bates Performed at NBA Draft Combine

Bates has gone on pre-draft visits so far with the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings.

In an interview during his workout with Golden State, Bates credited his time with Missouri for his development.

🗣️🗣️ @tbates_11

"I’m more than prepared for the pre-draft process and for the NBA just because of where I played my last two years"#MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/vyYfvElrgy

— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) May 23, 2025

During the 2024-2025 season, Bates was a team captain while averaging 13.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and one assist per game for the Tigers.

Upcoming Mizzou Schedule

• Annual Southeastern Conference Spring meetings: May 27-29
• NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in College Station, Texas: May 28-31

Did you notice?

• Missouri women's basketball extended an offer to 2027 guard Kie'Aundria Acree. The Georgia native is rated by 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 23 player in her class. She also holds offers from Tennessee, Texas A&M and Clemson, among others school.

Thankful and blessed to receive an offer from @KellieHarper and @MizzouWBB !!! Grateful for @KellieHarper and her staff for believing in me and my abilities. I promise to keep working hard!!! @coachsully10 pic.twitter.com/qP607fqcQR

— Kie'AundriaAcree2027 (@KieAundriaAcre1) May 24, 2025

• Missouri alumni Sophie Cunningham scored five points in the Indiana Fevers' 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty. She also grabbed three rebounds.

May 24, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) goes up for a basket against New York Liberty guard Marine Johannès (23) during a game between the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith/USA Today Network via Imagn Images | Grace Smith-Imagn Images

• Missouri men's basketball center Trent Burns turned 20 on Saturday, and guard T.O Barrett turned 19.

Wishing a Happy Birthday to a pair of Tigers today – a Happy 20th for @Tr3ntB21 and 19th for @To_Barrett 🎂🥳🎁🎈#MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/hn2l5fddzf

— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) May 24, 2025

Countdown to Mizzou football's 2025 season:

95 days.

Mizzou Quote of the Day

“You could see he was a great athlete and he'd develop. He had a great attitude which is why he became great.”

Al Onofrio on Kellen Winslow

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