Tombi Bell

Tombi Bates (née Bell; born April 19, 1979) is an U.S. Virgin Islands former professional basketball player.

Basketball career High school Bates played for Miami Norland Senior High School, and during her tenure there, was one of the top players in her county.

College Bates played for the Florida Gators from 1997 to 2001. She was featured in an April 2001 article for The Gainesville Sun.

Professional Bates was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in 2001.

Post-playing career Bates spent the 2005–2006 season as an assistant coach of the Miami Hurricanes. Bates later became an NCAA certified referee and a FIBA certified official.

Personal Bates graduated from Florida with bachelor's degree in exercise and sports sciences with a specialization in sport management in 2002. As of 2013, Bates is a physical education teacher at José Martí MAST 6-12 Academy.