Do 3 players’ NBA contracts change view of Mizzou’s lowly 2023-24 hoops season?
COLUMBIA, Mo. — In 2023, Missouri men’s basketball signed five transfers. They were coach Dennis Gates’ second transfer portal haul at the program, intended to help the Tigers build off the NCAA Tournament appearance achieved in his debut season.
None of them had the clear markings of bona fide stars. A couple of them were seeking changes of scenery while others were trying to move up a level.
Drake guard Kael Combs, right, tries to steal the ball from Missouri guard Tamar Bates during the second half of a first-round game in the NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Wichita, Kan.
Mizzou guard Caleb Grill hugs head coach Dennis Gates on Saturday, March 8, 2025, after coming out the game against Kentucky at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Former Missouri men's basketball stars Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill were not selected in the 2025 NBA Draft. Shortly after, however, Bates signed a two-way undrafted free agent deal with the Denver Nuggets and Grill signed with the Chicago Bulls.
One-time MU player John Tonje, meanwhile, went to the Utah Jazz with the 53rd overall pick.
Mizzou, Illinois cancel 2 future football matchups
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A future football series between Missouri and Illinois has slimmed from eight games to six and won’t start until 2027.
Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman announced the shift in Thursday remarks to Champaign media. The Tigers and Illini will no longer play each other in 2026 and 2032, he said.
Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. about the team's quarterback competition. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Former Mizzou players Bates, Grill, Tonje still on board after 1st round of NBA Draft
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Former Missouri men’s basketball players Tamar Bates, Caleb Grill and John Tonje all went unselected in the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday.
That all three are still on the board for the second round, which takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, is not especially surprising. For a time, Bates seemed like a potential first-round pick, but that was never a lock. The second round will air on ESPN.
Positive vibes: New Mizzou women's hoops coach Kellie Harper gives a summer update
Mizzou continues hot recruiting week with 2 more commitments, including Edwardsville WR
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri football has remained hot on the recruiting trail with two more verbal commitments this week, one coming from a Big Ten market and another from a local program.
Khalief Canty, a three-star offensive lineman from Detroit, committed to the Tigers on Tuesday. He attends Cass Technical High School there, but picked Mizzou over Michigan State.
Edwardsville junior Devyon Hill-Lomax makes a reception during football practice on June 26, 2024 at Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Ill. Paul Halfacre, Post-Dispatch
Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz speaks with the media on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. about the team's quarterback competition. (Video by Mizzou Network, used with permission of Mizzou Athletics)
Where Mizzou prospects Tamar Bates, Caleb Grill stand heading into 2025 NBA draft
Missouri guard Tamar Bates is defended by Illinois guard Tre White in the second half of the Braggin’ Rights rivalry game on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at Enterprise Center.
Post-Dispatch photo
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Two former Missouri men’s basketball players stand a solid chance of being selected in the NBA draft this week, with the possibility of three MU products joining the professional ranks.
Guards Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill, who each spent two seasons with the Tigers, could parlay key roles on last season’s NCAA Tournament team into draft spots. Guard John Tonje, who played a limited role in Mizzou’s 2023-24 due to injury before transferring to Wisconsin, could also be selected.
