LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2025 — Former Missouri Tigers Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill are getting their first taste of NBA action at the annual Summer League in Las Vegas, and both saw playing time Saturday as they vie for roster spots. Bates, playing for the Denver Nuggets, and Grill, with the Chicago Bulls, experienced mixed results in their second preseason games.
Summer League Showcase: Mizzou Alums Test Their Skills
Recent graduates Bates and Grill are navigating the challenges of NBA Summer League, showcasing their talents to potential employers.
- Caleb Grill scored eight points for the Chicago Bulls in a 109-92 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
- Tamar Bates contributed 13 points for the Denver Nuggets in a 94-83 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Kobe Brown, another Mizzou alum, had a strong performance Friday for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The NBA Summer League provides a crucial platform for young players to demonstrate their abilities and potentially earn a place on an NBA roster. For Bates and Grill, this is a significant opportunity to prove themselves after their collegiate careers at Missouri.
What are the key differences between NBA Summer League and regular season play? Summer League focuses on player development and evaluation, with a more relaxed atmosphere and emphasis on experimentation, unlike the high-stakes competition of the regular season.
Grill’s Bulls fell to the Sacramento Kings 109-92 in an early Saturday contest. The Wichita, Kansas, native scored eight points, continuing his trend of looking for the open shot. He took six of his seven field goal attempts from beyond the arc, finishing 2-of-6 from three-point range – the same mark as his first Summer League game. Grill also added three rebounds and a game-high three steals in 20 minutes on the court.
Later in the day, Bates faced the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite going 0-for-7 from three-point range, the Kansas City, Kansas, product found other ways to score, finishing with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting inside the arc. His 13 points tied for second-most on the Nuggets for the night. Bates also recorded an offensive rebound and two assists in 19 minutes of play.
Both the Bulls and the Nuggets now hold 0-2 records in Summer League play.
Did you know? Kobe Brown, another Missouri alum, kicked off his third season with the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday with a solid performance, scoring 14 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out four assists in a 95-92 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Bates is currently averaging 10.5 points per game, while Grill is averaging 7.0 points.
Grill and Brown are both scheduled to play again Monday. The Bulls will face the Indiana Pacers at 5 p.m. CDT, and the Clippers will take on the Los Angeles Lakers at 9:30 p.m. Bates is next slated to play with Denver at 7 p.m. Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors.
