​The Utah Jazz announced that Bates will be one of their two-way deal players, signing him along with Tamar, Blake Hinson, and Trey Alexander. Bates put up 16 points in the Jazz’s most recent summer league loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He previously signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets last season, but he missed most of that campaign after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured left foot and never appeared in an NBA game. A clean bill of health would go a long way for Bates, who projects as a three-and-D wing capable of impacting the game on defense and by running the floor. He has not yet been able to play a full slate as he works his way back to full strength from his foot injury.
We hope he stays healthy and gets opportunities this season. In other college basketball news, Mizzou Basketball announced a Border Lockdown ticket package for upcoming games in Kansas City and St. Louis. Nathan also continues to explore Mizzou’s forthcoming opponents, this time examining Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. The main question surrounding Mateer’s season isn’t tied to talent but whether last year’s struggles stemmed from an injured throwing hand or if SEC defenses exposed fundamental limitations that will persist this fall. There are reasons for optimistic expectations in Norman, as Mateer has already proven he can be an explosive dual-threat quarterback, and another offseason should only improve his comfort level. If his hand is fully recovered, the arm strength and accuracy that made him productive at Washington State could return. Mateer had a rocky season last year, and it will be interesting to see if the Sooners get more of what they expected this upcoming season.
Nathan also covered Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson. Subscribe to Rock M Radio on Apple Podcasts, or stream episodes through Bleav.com or Spotify. If you have a question for us, leave a five-star review with your question and that show might answer it in an upcoming episode. If you enjoy Rock M Radio, leave us a review and be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow @RockMRadio on Twitter, and if you haven’t already, head over to our YouTube channel and click subscribe. RockMNation has affiliate partnerships; these do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.