Mizzou senior guard Tamar Bates celebrates a Tiger victory (copy) (copy) (copy)

Then-Mizzou guard Tamar Bates celebrates a win over Vanderbilt in 2025. Bates signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz on Friday.

Mallory Pool/Missourian

Former Mizzou men’s basketball player Tamar Bates is officially a member of the Utah Jazz after signing with the organization on Friday. It was first announced that the Jazz intended to sign Bates to a two-way contract back on June 26.

Bates went undrafted after college, signing a two-way deal with the Denver Nuggets. He played 13 games in the G League with the Grand Rapids Gold, averaging 19.5 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 55% from the field, 44% on 3-point attempts and 90% from the free-throw line.

The guard was one of 17 players named to Utah’s Summer League roster. Bates did not see the court in Utah’s first game against the Atlanta Hawks. Second overall pick and former Kansas guard Darryn Peterson led Utah with 28 points and five rebounds while shooting 4 of 7 on 3-pointers in Saturday’s 103-102 Utah win. Cody Williams, the 10th overall pick in 2025 out of Colorado, was the team’s second-leading scorer with 17 points and five rebounds after shooting 8-for-13 from the field.

The Jazz will next play against Memphis on Monday in Salt Lake City.

The Grizzlies Summer League roster includes Columbia native and former Mizzou player Jevon Porter. The forward played two minutes in the Grizzlies’ 111-74 win over Oklahoma City Saturday in their Summer League opener.