Missouri Tigers basketball players showcase skills for NBA scouts at Pro Day

The buzzer sounded Saturday inside Mizzou Arena. The venue was mostly empty, save for the Mizzou men’s basketball team and coaching staff, a collection of pro scouts and a few reporters.

Next up was a five-on-five scrimmage. The players lined up at the halfcourt line, ready to showcase their skills to people who matter most.

The whistle sounded and the teams burst into action, trying to treat this scrimmage like any other.

But it wasn’t: Twelve NBA scouts sat courtside, assessing the Missouri players as the program held the first public Pro Day event of coach Dennis Gates’ tenure.

“I’m just thankful for ... the scouts from several NBA teams for at least coming out, looking under the hood to see what we have versus waiting for the games,” Gates said. “I hold these players a responsibility, and that’s to protect their pro careers, but also pushing, and that’s what I think today is about.”

Throughout the Pro Day, the Tigers practiced as they normally would. From catch-and-release shooting drills to transitioning and running the court, Gates ran a regular practice, despite the added pressure.

Representatives from the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets took their places along the hardwood.

While many players and scouts engaged in conversations afterward, two MU players stood out: senior Mark Mitchell and junior Anthony Robinson II, both captains and returning Tigers.

“Ant Robinson, I truly believe, has been playing basketball in a desperate space; trying to cut out time for himself, trying to earn minutes,” Gates said. “Now, that leadership (role) that I put him in has allowed him to be in this space now ...

“He and Mark Mitchell have to lead this team in minutes played per game, and if they do their jobs, then I believe our nucleus, meaning the leadership, will be able to move the body and our body needs to follow the same way.”

Robinson suffered a slight leg injury during the practice, sitting out some drills and parts of the scrimmages. Even so, at the start of the first four-minute scrimmage, he used his voice to communicate with his teammates.

At tipoff, Robinson could be heard screaming “Gimme that!” in the backcourt as the referee tossed the ball in the air. He secured the ball from the jump and facilitated the offense, scoring first for his squad.

“Your voices should be the loudest thing,” Gates said during the practice.

As Pro Day went on, the team ran through drills showcasing different skills. From explosiveness to on-ball pressure to spot-shooting and post moves, the drills encompassed many different facets of what this Mizzou team can do.

One name was present in many of the coaches compliments throughout the drills: T.O. Barrett. The sophomore was praised for strong cuts, shot selection, passes and defense.

“What I see is leadership,” Gates said. “The growth of Ant Robinson and Mark Mitchell, but also if you look at T.O. Barrett, you look at Annor Boateng, you look at Trent Burns — those guys are freshman becoming sophomores. They have wisdom that they can give a first year guy based off their experience.”

The Tigers are working toward their first game action of the 2025-26 season, on Oct. 24 at Mizzou Arena against Kansas State.

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