Missouri Tigers guard Tamar Bates (2) drives against Texas A&M Aggies guard Wade Taylor IV (4) during the first half at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 8, 2025. A s KC native and Mizzou guard Tamar Bates awaited any news during the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, he shared this sentiment at his watch party in his hometown:

Missouri basketball standout Tamar Bates is getting his shot in the league, as he signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets shortly after the 2025 NBA Draft.

The only team without a pick in either round, the Nuggets stayed idle in a 2025 NBA draft that felt twice as uneventful thanks to the recently implemented two-day format. Limited in future resources and under new front office leadership, Denver decided it wasn’t worth it to trade into the draft.