The wait for Mark Mitchell continues, and Kentucky’s hopes of adding the former Missouri standout have been pushed back at least another week.
Mitchell was hoping to receive immediate relief Friday as part of a legal challenge seeking an additional season of college eligibility. However, Judge Brian Edwards declined to grant a temporary restraining order or injunction that would have allowed Mitchell to immediately enter the transfer portal.
Instead, the judge gave both sides until Tuesday, August 18, to submit additional written arguments. A ruling is expected by the end of next week.
That decision keeps Mitchell’s situation unresolved as Kentucky prepares for the start of the fall semester.
The University of Kentucky begins classes on August 24, while the deadline to add classes is August 28. If Mitchell ultimately receives permission to pursue another season, the timing could become extremely tight for him to enter the portal, complete the transfer process and enroll at Kentucky.
“We’re very happy with the judge giving us time so quickly to look at this important matter for so many players,” attorney Ryan Downton said following Friday’s hearing. “And he’s told us he’ll give us a ruling by the end of next week. We’re very hopeful he’ll follow the courts in Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, and granting these players immediate eligibility to play for the school of their choice.”
Mitchell is one of 13 athletes involved in the lawsuit seeking another year of eligibility.
The group includes several college athletes from different sports, including UCLA basketball player Skyy Clark, Florida State football player Thomas Castellanos and Chattanooga basketball player Billy Smith. Mitchell is joined by other basketball players including LJ Wells II, Donovan Oday, Justin Allen, Fred King, Colin Porter and Albert Vargas Frito, along with Louisville football players D’Angelo Hutchinson and Jabari Mack and Louisville baseball player Kayden Campbell.
At the heart of the dispute is whether athletes from the high school class of 2022 should be allowed to compete for a fifth season.
The NCAA maintains that those athletes have already exhausted their eligibility. Its argument is that the athletes were given the traditional five-year period in which to play four seasons and therefore received what they were promised.
The plaintiffs, however, are seeking another opportunity to compete. Their attorneys are also asking for a new transfer-portal window and protection for athletes who may have already signed professional contracts, agreements or received compensation based on the belief that their college eligibility had ended.
Friday’s hearing did not produce the immediate decision Mitchell and the other plaintiffs wanted. The NCAA requested additional time to submit its arguments, while the plaintiffs pushed for Judge Edwards to make a ruling immediately.
The judge ultimately gave both sides additional time, setting the stage for another major decision next week.
For Kentucky fans, that means the uncertainty surrounding Mitchell is going to last a little longer.
With the Wildcats’ fall semester approaching rapidly, the clock is now becoming an important factor. If Mitchell ultimately wins the case, Kentucky could still have a chance to bring him into the program—but the opportunity may come with a very narrow window.
For now, there is nothing left to do but wait for the judge’s ruling.
And for Mark Mitchell, Kentucky and the other athletes involved, next week could be decisive.
