“Grill’s Sharpshooting Shines, Bates Battles Back, Brown Bumped — Former Mizzou Stars Making Waves in Vegas Summer League”

The lights are bright in Las Vegas, and for several former Missouri Tigers, the NBA Summer League is their stage. As rosters fill out with aspiring pros, undrafted free agents, and second-year players fighting for secure contracts, the Missouri contingent has stepped into the desert heat ready to prove themselves. And so far, they’re making headlines. Caleb Grill, Tamar Bates, and Kobe Brown are all showcasing their talent on one of basketball’s most visible summer stages. For each of them, the stakes are different, the journeys unique, but the mission remains the same—leave an impression that opens doors at the next level.

Caleb Grill, who transferred into Mizzou for his final collegiate season, has emerged as a surprising yet steady contributor in Summer League play for the Chicago Bulls. Known for his energy, leadership, and especially his three-point shooting, Grill wasted no time making his presence felt. Through four games in Las Vegas, Grill has played solid minutes and demonstrated exactly why the Bulls were willing to give him a look. In a league driven by spacing and perimeter shooting, Grill’s quick release and confidence from deep have stood out. Though not always lighting up the box score, his off-ball movement and relentless hustle have caught the attention of coaches and scouts alike. Grill’s basketball IQ shows in the little things—diving for loose balls, making the extra pass, and being in the right place at the right time. For a player who wasn’t guaranteed anything coming out of college, every moment on the floor is a chance to build momentum. It’s hard to ignore a guy who plays with heart and keeps defenses honest with the ability to hit from beyond the arc. Whether Grill’s path leads him to a two-way contract, G League development, or even a spot overseas, his play in Las Vegas is planting seeds.

Meanwhile, Tamar Bates is generating his own buzz in a Denver Nuggets uniform. After transferring to Mizzou from Indiana, Bates showed flashes of being a dynamic combo guard during his time with the Tigers. At Summer League, he’s picking up right where he left off, displaying versatility, shot-making, and a developing feel for the pro game. In his debut with Denver, Bates logged nearly 18 minutes and filled the stat sheet with 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. What was most impressive, however, was his second-half performance after a rough opening stretch. Rather than folding under pressure, Bates regrouped, adjusted, and found a rhythm that helped his team mount a comeback attempt. His offensive rating of 136.1 in that game was the highest of any player on the court, showing just how efficient he can be when locked in. He also posted a +7 plus-minus, which again suggests he was making a positive impact even when not scoring. Bates brings a smooth mid-range game, an improving three-point shot, and the defensive length that NBA teams crave in their backcourts. What remains to be seen is how he builds on this strong start. If he can string together a few more consistent performances, the Nuggets—or another team—may see enough to consider him for a two-way deal or an Exhibit 10 contract. Either way, Bates is showing that his game can translate beyond the college level.

Then there’s Kobe Brown, perhaps the most established of the trio. Brown, who was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, came into the 2024-25 Summer League with different goals than Grill or Bates. For Brown, this was less about making a first impression and more about fine-tuning his game and reminding people why he was a first-round pick to begin with. Unfortunately, those plans have hit a temporary snag. Brown was ruled out of the Clippers’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to an ankle contusion. It’s not considered a serious injury, but it is a setback for a player who is looking to take a leap heading into his second season. Brown’s rookie year had moments of promise, and the Clippers have expressed confidence in his potential as a stretch-forward who can defend multiple positions and shoot the three. Summer League would’ve been a perfect platform to sharpen those skills further and step into a leadership role among younger players. Even if his time in Las Vegas is limited, Brown’s future in the league seems secure for now. The real test will come in training camp, where he’ll be expected to earn a bigger role on a Clippers team still figuring out its identity.

The narratives of these three former Mizzou standouts converge in Las Vegas but extend far beyond. Each represents a different slice of the professional basketball journey. Grill is fighting for recognition. Bates is fighting for consistency. Brown is fighting for progression. All three are carrying the legacy of Mizzou basketball with them as they navigate this critical chapter in their careers. For the Missouri program itself, having multiple players competing at this level sends a powerful message. It reinforces the idea that Mizzou can produce NBA-ready talent and that the development players receive in Columbia prepares them for the grind of professional hoops. Head Coach Dennis Gates has been vocal about his desire to make Mizzou a pipeline to the pros, and this trio is helping that vision come alive.

Beyond the stat lines and game summaries, there’s something intangible about watching familiar faces compete under unfamiliar circumstances. Fans who watched Grill drill clutch threes, or Bates slash through defenses, or Brown muscle his way into the paint for a strong finish, now get to see those same talents tested in a setting where every possession can tip the scale of a career. The Summer League is less about winning and more about proving. And that proving ground can be unforgiving. One bad game can cost a contract; one great moment can open doors.

So far, the former Mizzou players are holding their own. For Grill, the focus will be on maintaining confidence, staying aggressive, and capitalizing on every minute he’s given. He’s unlikely to get 30 minutes a night, so his impact has to be quick and meaningful. For Bates, it’s about showing he can be more than just a scorer—that he can be a reliable decision-maker and defender at the next level. If he can continue trending upward, there’s no reason he can’t earn a spot in someone’s rotation down the road. For Brown, once healthy, the focus shifts back to development. The Clippers need young contributors who can stretch the floor and bring defensive versatility. Brown has those tools, and now he has to show he can deploy them consistently.

As the Summer League rolls on, eyes will stay on these three. The NBA world is always looking for the next breakout, the next overlooked gem, the next guy who turns a 10-day contract into a full-time opportunity. And sometimes, that guy wears black and gold. Missouri’s representation in Vegas isn’t just a footnote—it’s a story of determination, grit, and belief. The journey from college star to professional athlete is never linear, and for these Tigers, it’s still being written in sweat, tape, and jump shots under the Nevada sun.

The days are long, the competition is fierce, and the margins are razor-thin. But Caleb Grill, Tamar Bates, and Kobe Brown are still standing, still playing, still believing. Whether they end the summer with a new contract or just a stronger sense of where they stand, they’ve already made one thing clear—don’t bet against a Tiger in Vegas.