Tamar Bates Family: Girlfriend, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 13, 2026 by Orlando Bloom

Tamar Bates is an American professional basketball player known for his shooting ability, defensive intensity, and performances in college basketball and the NBA G League. Born on February 21, 2003, in Kansas City, Kansas, the talented guard played for Indiana University and the University of Missouri before beginning his professional career. In July 2026, Bates signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz.

Beyond basketball, Tamar Bates’s family has played an important role in his development. His parents, Dr. Tyrone Bates and LaJasmia Bates, supported his athletic ambitions, while his four siblings include older brother Trey Bates and sisters La’Shana, Trinity, and Tamia. Bates is also a father to a daughter named Leilani Nicole Bates, whose birth in March 2022 significantly changed his outlook on basketball and life. Here is everything publicly known about Tamar Bates’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.

Tamar Bates’s Girlfriend: Is He in a Relationship?

Tamar Bates has previously confirmed being in a relationship, although the identity of his girlfriend and their current relationship status have not been reliably established through recent public reporting.

During an August 2022 interview published by Indiana University Athletics, Bates discussed his experience of becoming a father while pursuing college basketball.

He explained that his girlfriend had become pregnant during his freshman year at Indiana and that the uncertainty surrounding parenthood initially made him nervous.

However, after the birth of their daughter in March 2022, Bates said becoming a father was considerably more rewarding than he had anticipated.

At the time, his girlfriend remained in Kansas City with their daughter, while Bates continued his education and basketball career in Bloomington, Indiana.

His parents and other relatives also helped care for the child.

Although Bates publicly acknowledged his girlfriend during interviews, Indiana University’s reporting did not identify her by name.

He also referred to his romantic partner while discussing how fatherhood had strengthened his motivation to succeed.

Since those interviews, Bates has generally maintained privacy regarding his romantic relationships.

There is no sufficiently verified public announcement confirming whether he remains with the same partner, is dating someone else, or has married.

Consequently, it would be inaccurate to identify a current girlfriend or wife without additional confirmation.

Tamar Bates’s Children: Meet His Daughter Leilani Nicole Bates

Tamar Bates is the father of one publicly documented child, a daughter named Leilani Nicole Bates.

His daughter was born on March 20, 2022, shortly after the conclusion of his freshman basketball season at Indiana University.

Her name and birth date are confirmed by Indiana University’s official basketball records and Bates’s own statements during a July 2022 press conference.

Becoming a father at 19 represented one of the most important milestones in his personal life.

Leilani Nicole Bates – Tamar Bates’s Daughter

Leilani Nicole Bates is Tamar Bates’s daughter, born on March 20, 2022, in the Kansas City area.

Her arrival came immediately after Indiana’s participation in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

On March 17, 2022, the Hoosiers were eliminated by Saint Mary’s in Portland, Oregon.

Knowing that his daughter’s birth was approaching, Bates left Portland early the following morning and traveled through Utah before returning to Kansas City.

He arrived in time to witness Leilani’s birth on March 20.

During a July 28, 2022, Indiana basketball press conference, Bates explained that seeing his daughter for the first time completely changed his sense of responsibility.

He realized that his basketball career was no longer only about fulfilling his personal ambitions. He now wanted to provide financial security, opportunities, and a positive future for his daughter.

Bates also acknowledged that caring for a baby while competing in NCAA Division I basketball required balancing numerous responsibilities.

During his sophomore season at Indiana, Leilani remained in Kansas City with her mother and grandparents while Bates attended classes and participated in basketball activities.

However, he made efforts to involve his daughter in his sporting experiences.

In November 2022, Leilani attended Indiana basketball games and accompanied her father to a postgame press conference following a victory against Jackson State.

The moment attracted attention because the young child sat alongside Bates while he answered questions from reporters.

As she grew older, Leilani continued accompanying her father to basketball events.

During the 2024–25 season at Missouri, she frequently appeared alongside him at postgame press conferences.

One memorable appearance occurred following Missouri’s December 2024 victory over top-ranked Kansas.

With Leilani sitting on her father’s lap, Missouri head coach Dennis Gates praised Bates’s commitment to fatherhood.

In July 2025, Bates also discussed how special it was to have his daughter watching him participate in NBA Summer League activities.

At the time, Leilani was three years old and had traveled to Las Vegas with members of the Bates family.

As of now, Leilani remains Tamar Bates’s only publicly confirmed child.

How Fatherhood Changed Tamar Bates’s Basketball Career

Becoming a father influenced several important decisions during Tamar Bates’s college basketball career.

When Leilani was born, he was playing for Indiana University, hundreds of miles from his family home in Kansas City.

Although his parents and girlfriend helped care for the baby, the distance made it difficult for him to spend as much time with his daughter as he wanted.

In an August 2022 interview with Indiana University Athletics, Bates explained that fatherhood had given him a new sense of purpose.

He wanted to become a more disciplined basketball player while also providing a better future for his daughter.

After completing his sophomore season at Indiana in 2023, Bates entered the NCAA transfer portal.

He eventually selected the University of Missouri, a decision influenced partly by the opportunity to live closer to Kansas City.

According to a 2024 University of Missouri feature, being separated from Leilani and the rest of his family had made his time at Indiana emotionally challenging.

Missouri offered him the opportunity to compete in the Southeastern Conference while remaining more accessible to his daughter and relatives.

During his time with the Tigers, Bates regularly spoke about how important family support was to his development.

His daughter became a recognizable presence around the basketball program, and coach Dennis Gates publicly praised the responsibility Bates demonstrated as a parent.

Tamar Bates’s Parents: Meet Dr. Tyrone and LaJasmia Bates

Tamar Bates was born to Dr. Tyrone Bates and LaJasmia Bates, who raised him in Kansas City, Kansas.

His parents are identified in the official basketball biographies published by Indiana University and the University of Missouri.

The family emphasized education, discipline, communication, and personal development during Tamar’s upbringing.

His father also has a background in collegiate athletics, while both parents have supported his journey from high school basketball to the professional level.

Tamar Bates’s Father: Dr. Tyrone Bates

Dr. Tyrone Bates, also known as Tyrone Bates Jr., is Tamar Bates’s father and an education professional with a background in collegiate athletics.

According to reporting by The Kansas City Star, Tyrone competed in cross-country running and track and field at Northwest Missouri State University.

He attended the university on an athletic scholarship and participated in competitive running events.

During the 1997 track season, he helped a relay team record one of Northwest Missouri State’s fastest performances in the 4×300-meter event.

Following his athletic career, Tyrone pursued further education and professional development.

He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri in 2012 and has worked in educational leadership and consulting.

His academic background contributed to the emphasis on education within the Bates household.

During a January 2020 interview with The Kansas City Star, Tyrone discussed how he encouraged Tamar to remain focused despite growing attention from major college basketball programs.

He emphasized the importance of setting goals, maintaining discipline, and avoiding distractions.

Tyrone wanted his son to concentrate on daily improvement rather than become overwhelmed by the possibility of a future professional basketball career.

He also remained closely involved in Tamar’s personal development after he moved away from home.

During a January 2022 interview with Sports Illustrated, Tamar explained that his father was one of the people he contacted most frequently when he needed advice.

He described being able to discuss emotional challenges, personal responsibilities, and basketball-related concerns with Tyrone.

His father also encouraged him to read books and develop skills beyond basketball.

Their relationship remained important as Tamar progressed through Indiana, Missouri, and eventually professional basketball.

Tamar Bates’s Mother: LaJasmia Bates

LaJasmia Bates, also identified in some reporting as LaJasmia Dye-Bates, is Tamar Bates’s mother.

She raised Tamar and his siblings alongside his father in Kansas City, Kansas.

Although detailed public information about her occupation and educational background is limited, her influence on her son’s upbringing has been documented.

LaJasmia played an important role in encouraging Tamar during his childhood and early basketball development.

She is also responsible for one of the player’s best-known nicknames.

During his childhood, Tamar enjoyed the 2004 dance film You Got Served and became familiar with the performer Fatman Scoop.

Because Tamar enjoyed eating and was relatively heavy as a young child, his mother began calling him Fatman Scoop.

As he grew older and became leaner, the first part of the nickname disappeared, leaving him with the name “Scoop.”

The nickname followed him throughout his high school and college basketball career.

LaJasmia also helped support Tamar after he became a father in March 2022.

While he continued studying and playing basketball at Indiana, his daughter Leilani remained in Kansas City, where LaJasmia and other relatives helped provide care.

Her involvement made it easier for Tamar to balance his responsibilities as a young parent and college athlete.

LaJasmia continued supporting her son during his career at Missouri and accompanied family members to important basketball events.

In May 2025, she was present with Leilani during activities surrounding Tamar’s participation in the NBA Draft Combine.

Tamar Bates’s Siblings: Meet Trey, La’Shana, Trinity and Tamia Bates

Tamar Bates has four siblings: one brother, Trey Bates, and three sisters, La’Shana Bates, Trinity Bates, and Tamia Bates.

Their names are confirmed by official player biographies published by Indiana University and the University of Missouri.

His older brother Trey also played competitive basketball, while his sisters have maintained more private personal lives.

Trey Bates – Tamar Bates’s Older Brother

Tyrone “Trey” Bates III is Tamar Bates’s older brother and a former college basketball player.

Like Tamar, Trey attended Piper High School in Kansas City, Kansas, where he developed into an accomplished basketball player.

The brothers played together on the school’s varsity basketball team and helped Piper win its first Kansas Class 4A state championship in 2019.

During the championship game against Augusta, Trey recorded 21 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and three steals.

Tamar, then a sophomore, contributed 20 points as Piper secured an 86–53 victory.

The achievement became an important moment in the family’s basketball history.

After high school, Trey pursued college basketball at the junior-college and NCAA Division II levels.

His college career included time at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Barton Community College, and Mississippi College.

During the 2021–22 season at Barton Community College, he averaged 9.3 points and 2.5 assists across 31 games.

He later transferred to Mississippi College, where he continued his basketball career during the 2022–23 season.

Beyond their shared sporting experiences, the brothers have maintained a close personal relationship.

In October 2021, Trey appeared as a guest on Tamar’s podcast, The Inside Scoop.

The brothers discussed their childhood basketball competitions, their experiences playing together, and their ambitions.

Tamar has also identified Trey as one of the people he regularly contacts for advice and emotional support.

La’Shana Bates – Tamar Bates’s Older Sister

La’Shana Bates is Tamar Bates’s older sister.

Her name appears in official Indiana and Missouri basketball biographies, which identify her as one of the family’s five children.

Unlike Tamar and Trey, La’Shana has generally remained outside the public spotlight.

There is limited verified information about her education, occupation, and personal interests.

Although she is part of Tamar’s immediate family, she has not been extensively profiled in major sports publications.

Trinity Bates – Tamar Bates’s Younger Sister

Trinity Bates is one of Tamar Bates’s two younger sisters.

She grew up in the Kansas City area alongside her brothers and sisters.

Her identity is confirmed by Indiana University’s official basketball records.

During a July 2022 press conference, Tamar mentioned his younger sisters while discussing his limited previous experience with babies before the birth of his daughter.

However, details about Trinity’s education, athletic interests, and personal activities have not been widely documented.

Tamia Bates – Tamar Bates’s Younger Sister

Tamia Bates is Tamar Bates’s other younger sister.

Like Trinity, she is identified in the player’s official college basketball biographies.

Tamia has maintained a comparatively private public profile, and little verified information is available concerning her education or personal interests.

Although her brother has become recognizable through college and professional basketball, Tamia has generally remained outside national sports coverage.

How Tamar Bates’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career

Tamar Bates grew up in a family that encouraged education, sports, discipline, and personal responsibility.

His father had competed in collegiate athletics, while his older brother Trey became an accomplished high school basketball player.

These influences helped Tamar develop an interest in competitive basketball from an early age.

He attended Piper High School in Kansas City, Kansas, where he established himself as one of the state’s most promising young players.

As a sophomore, Bates helped Piper win the 2019 Kansas Class 4A state championship alongside his older brother.

During his junior season, he averaged 22.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

His performances earned him the 2020 Kansas All-Classes Player of the Year Award and the prestigious DiRenna Award, recognizing the Kansas City metropolitan area’s leading high school basketball player.

For his senior year, Bates transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

He averaged 11.4 points per game during the 2020–21 season and earned selection to the Jordan Brand Classic roster.

After initially committing to the University of Texas, Bates reopened his recruitment and eventually selected Indiana University.

He spent two seasons with the Hoosiers before transferring to Missouri in 2023.

The move was particularly meaningful because it allowed him to continue competing at a high collegiate level while living closer to his daughter and family.

Tamar Bates’s Journey to the Utah Jazz

Following his transfer to Missouri, Tamar Bates developed into one of the Tigers’ most important offensive players.

During the 2023–24 season, he averaged 13.5 points per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the field.

He continued producing consistent performances during his final college season in 2024–25.

Bates averaged 13.3 points per game and shot 94.6 percent from the free-throw line, leading NCAA Division I in free-throw percentage.

One of his most memorable performances came on December 8, 2024, when he scored 29 points in Missouri’s victory over top-ranked Kansas.

After completing his college career, Bates entered the 2025 NBA Draft but was not selected.

On July 1, 2025, the Denver Nuggets announced that they had signed him to a two-way contract.

He subsequently played for the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League, averaging 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 13 games during the 2025–26 season.

His campaign was affected by a foot injury that limited his availability.

On July 3, 2026, the Utah Jazz officially announced that they had signed Bates to a two-way contract.

The agreement provided another opportunity to establish himself within an NBA organization.

As he continued pursuing his professional ambitions, Bates remained publicly committed to providing a positive future for his daughter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tamar Bates’s Family

Who is Tamar Bates’s girlfriend?

Tamar Bates confirmed having a girlfriend in 2022 when discussing the birth of his daughter. However, her name and their current relationship status have not been reliably established through public reporting.

Is Tamar Bates married?

There is no verified public confirmation that Tamar Bates is married or engaged.

Does Tamar Bates have children?

Yes. Tamar Bates has one publicly confirmed child, a daughter named Leilani Nicole Bates, born on March 20, 2022.

Who is Tamar Bates’s daughter?

His daughter is Leilani Nicole Bates. She was born shortly after his freshman season at Indiana University and has frequently accompanied her father to basketball events.

Who is the mother of Tamar Bates’s daughter?

Bates referred to Leilani’s mother as his girlfriend during interviews in 2022. However, her name has not been reliably established in the available official reporting.

Who are Tamar Bates’s parents?

His parents are Dr. Tyrone Bates and LaJasmia Bates, also identified as LaJasmia Dye-Bates in some publications.

Who is Tamar Bates’s father?

Tamar Bates’s father is Dr. Tyrone Bates, an education professional who previously competed in track and cross-country running at Northwest Missouri State University.

Who is Tamar Bates’s mother?

His mother is LaJasmia Bates, who supported his basketball development and helped care for his daughter Leilani during his college career.

How many siblings does Tamar Bates have?

Tamar Bates has four siblings: Trey, La’Shana, Trinity, and Tamia Bates.

Who is Tamar Bates’s brother?

His older brother is Tyrone “Trey” Bates III, a former college basketball player who helped Tamar win a Kansas high school state championship in 2019.

Who are Tamar Bates’s sisters?

His three sisters are La’Shana Bates, Trinity Bates, and Tamia Bates.

Where is Tamar Bates from?

Tamar Bates was born on February 21, 2003, in Kansas City, Kansas, United States.

Which NBA team does Tamar Bates play for?

Tamar Bates signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz on July 3, 2026, after previously being part of the Denver Nuggets organization.