Tamar Bates Post Practice Media | 2025 Summer League 🎙

Tamar Bates Post Practice Media | 2025 Summer League 🎙

Tamar, first and foremost, welcome to Denver. Just what was it was it like kind of going through the draft process and then getting the call from the Nuggets that they’re hoping to sign you. I mean, the draft process itself, no matter where you slided to go, was pretty grueling just cuz how long it is, the amount of workouts. Um, so I was just grateful that I was able to be healthy through all of it. And then um you know when it got to the point to draft night and they called me, I was just nothing but grateful just for the opportunity that this um you know organization believed in me and um thought that I was somebody worth um investing in.
Dress, how many workouts did you go through during that pro because I know it’s probably a lock for you guys.
Yeah, I had 13 total
and I did I played in everything after the season. I played in the Reese’s All-Star game, then Portsmith, then the elite camp, then the combine on top of 13 workouts. So, um, it was it it was more like mentally taxing and physical just cuz of the flights and all the travel and everything, but I did it. So, you know, fans have been grinding the tape trying to get to know your game. How would you describe your game to to a fan base that hasn’t watched you play?
Um, I would describe myself as a 3&D guy that has the skill set to score at all three levels. Um, just somebody that can play on the ball, off of the ball, and it’s just somebody that just plays really hard. I mean, I try to I pride myself in my communication and the energy that I bring. So, um, whatever it takes to to win and whatever my job is, depending on the night, no matter what team I’m playing with, whether it be the Gold or the Nuggets, uh, I’m going to do whatever coach asked me to do.
What excites you most about doing this grand? Um, obviously, they just won the championship not too long ago, and I think it’s a really good situation for me because one, there’s there’s two guys on the team that are from Kansas City and CB and Spencer. And then just, you know, I I I couldn’t ask to be around better vets and guys that can show me what it’s like and what it means to really be a professional. So, I think this is a really good um opportunity for myself and my development. And I’m just going to take it a day at a time and take full advantage of everything that the Nuggets are providing for me.
What relationship do you have with those St. Louis guys? Those Kansas City guys, sorry.
Uh I mean, I’ve been knowing CB since early high school. um since he was playing with Moan and I was playing with GMC and and Spencer, he played with my AU team as well and we we were all we all went to high school within the same area. Um me and Spencer were in the same um class. We were both in 4A, so they they lost when they were supposed to play us in the state tournament, but that’s neither here or there. Um but um but no, I’ve been I’ve been knowing those guys and been in the gym with them since my freshman year, 8th grade um in middle school. So, um, definitely a good to have familiar faces in the locker room.
Well, and have you had any action with the, uh, Crunksies, with Josh or or Stan’s around obviously pretty strong legacy there, uh, in Colombia?
Yeah. Yeah, we I I I wrapped with Stan yesterday. Um, just met them and, you know, I’ve obviously knew who they were and knew that they were under ownership of the team. So, I was just glad that, you know, again, another connection um, to the Nuggets and to myself and where I came from. I’m just glad to have people that have been watching me for some time and kind of know who I am as a as a basketball player, but also as a person. Um, just because they have family that’s still in Colia and people that have, you know, that I’ve built relationships with. So, it’s good to be around familiar faces and names.
Yeah. I don’t know this for a fact, but I’m sorry Stan watched more games of yours than any other owner in the NBA. Did he talk about how many games he saw you play? Nah, not yet. He probably ain’t want to toot my horn too much, but he uh I’m sure he’s watched a good amount just cuz you know being from Missouri and having family that’s still there.
What’s the first practice like when you’re getting together with guys you haven’t played with, haven’t met before. How’d it go today?
I think it went really well. It was a lot of energy. um you know, a lot of good communication. And I mean, that’s really the main thing, like just being able to talk through things and kind of pick up on concepts pretty quick because we’ve all pretty much never played with each other, but we’ve all watched each other play. So, we got a a feel for each other’s game, but it’s different being in the gym with one another and actually having to work as a team. So, we just had to make sure we was talking to each other, listening to coach, and then, you know, when it came to playing five on five, that’s just hoops. So, um, you know, I think, um, today was a good building block for what we want to look like in Vegas.
Tomorrow, you mentioned you see yourself as a 3 and D guy. Is there one skill you’re still kind of focused on improving to to kind of maximize your potential
when in terms of the 3 and D mode? Um, I would just say, um, the second thing I said in terms of being able to be a secondary ball handler, I would say that’s the main thing that I’m really focused on right now and being able to, um, relieve the point guard of his duties whenever he’s either at the game or the coach wants to run something for the said point guard um, off of the ball and I’m the one that could initiate the offense. So, yeah, just being able to um, be the one, create for others, and um, take care of the ball. you Chiefs fan?
Of course. Come on now. I’m not no fake Chiefs fan.
Like CB? Yeah. I I can’t speak for CB and his Chiefs fan, but me, you know, I’ve been with with the Chiefs since Matt Castle. You know what I’m saying? Dwayne B, Jamal Charles, Tom Bahalei. I go on all day. But
And then Broncos country though.
Yeah, that’s cool. But I you you never gonna catch me with a Broncos jersey on. I you know what I’m saying? I’m in Broncos country. But when the Chiefs come to town, y’all know what colors I’m have on. But nah um n big Chiefs fan and I and you can’t really call us a I don’t know what people I don’t know what people trying to call the Chiefs but we drafted everybody that’s
you know that’s helping us win championships. Everybody had a chance to get Patty. So you know that ain’t my fault.
Seems like don’t have a look on your shoulder about the Chiefs.
You know. Yeah. Cuz I I’ve been hearing so much chitchat especially after this past Super Bowl. Like we couldn’t even get past the 50,
right?
You know what I’m saying? And the Eagles, I mean, I mean, we we needed that though. I I liked it cuz we’ll be back. I don’t know about them. The Eagles, I can’t speak for them, but I know we’ll be back. So, we just got to clean the old line up. Make sure Pat protected. We long as 15 in the back field, we got chance.
I know how Broncos fans feel the opposite of when John Elway was here. Chiefs fans had to deal with John Elway.
Yeah. You know what I’m saying? So, everybody get their turn when they got that franchise quarterback. Now, it’s just our turn to talk a little smack. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much. Appreciate you.
Appreciate you.

Hear what Tamar had to say after mini-camp practice leading up to NBA Summer League.

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Tamar Bates Post Practice Media | 2025 Summer League 🎙