Former Indiana Hoosier Tamar Bates signs two-way contract with Denver Nuggets

Former Indiana Hoosier Tamar Bates signed a two way contract with the Denver Nuggets immediately following going un-drafted in the 2025 NBA Draft per Tony Jones of The Athletic.

Bates began his collegiate career at Indiana and played two seasons there before transferring to Missouri in 2023.

A former five-star recruit from IMG Academy in Bradenton (Florida) Tamar Bates was a part of the first Indiana Hoosier recruiting class under head coach Mike Woodson in the 2021-22 season.

The Saint Louis, Missouri native Tamar Bates struggled at Indiana over his two years in Bloomington averaging 3.9 points in 14.5 minutes per game in his freshman season. He showed flashes of greatness and development as a sophomore but was inconsistent throughout his second and final season in Bloomington. Bates averaged 6.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.4 minutes per game, while shooting 37.4 percent from 3-point range and 92.6 percent at the free throw line before transferring to Missouri.

Bates over the last two seasons as a Missouri Tiger has been one of the key pieces in their programs turnaround. As a junior he averaged 13.5 points on 49.5 percent shooting from the field, 38.5 percent from 3-point range and 92.6 percent at the free throw line. This past season as a fifth year senior he averaged 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.6 steals in 25.7 minutes per game on 50.4 % shooting from the field. He helped lead the Tigers to the NCAA tournament in his final year, after finishing last in the SEC a year prior.

Bates was with family at watch party in downtown Kansas City, then Bates picked up the phone and learned he is set to sign a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets.

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity because I knew at the end of the night, regardless of what happened on the TV screen, I would leave here an NBA player. That's been my dream my entire life, so I'm grateful and excited and just ready to get prepared for summer league," he told ABC17 (KMIZ)

Here’s hoping to Bates leaving a good impression with Denver and establishing himself at Summer League as a player to watch for the Nuggets next season.