A major development has changed the landscape of Kentucky basketball’s roster plans.
Missouri star forward Mark Mitchell has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal after receiving a temporary restraining order that opened a new, week-long transfer window. Even more intriguing for Kentucky, Mitchell entered the portal with a “Do Not Contact” designation.
That tag can mean several things. In some cases, it indicates that a player wants all communication handled through an agent or family members. In others, it can suggest that the player already has a preferred destination and does not want additional schools contacting him.
Either way, the designation could point toward a relatively quick decision.
And that is especially important for Kentucky, with classes scheduled to begin in Lexington on August 24.
Kentucky Could Be Right in the Middle of This
Mitchell has emerged as one of the biggest names suddenly available in the portal.
The 6-foot-9 forward was a two-time All-SEC selection at Missouri and produced an outstanding 2025-26 season, averaging 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while playing 33.8 minutes per contest.
Kentucky knows firsthand how difficult Mitchell can be to defend.
During Missouri’s win at Rupp Arena, Mitchell scored 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting while adding four assists and a rebound. He was even more dangerous when the teams met again in the SEC Tournament, exploding for 32 points on 13-of-21 shooting to go along with seven rebounds.
Now, instead of preparing to face Mitchell again next season, Kentucky could potentially be trying to add him to its own roster.
The Timing Could Not Be Better for Mark Pope
Kentucky already has a talented roster heading into the 2026-27 season, but Mitchell’s sudden availability creates a situation Mark Pope will have to evaluate quickly.
The Wildcats have been connected to Mitchell throughout the unusual eligibility and transfer saga, and the temporary restraining order has now given him an opportunity to enter the portal and determine his next destination.
With the academic year approaching, there isn’t much time for a traditional recruiting process.
That makes the Do Not Contact tag particularly fascinating.
If Mitchell has already narrowed his options significantly, Kentucky could have a chance to move quickly. And if the Wildcats are indeed his preferred destination, the process could move at a much faster pace than a typical portal recruitment.
Could Kentucky Build an M&M Frontcourt?
The potential fit is difficult to ignore.
If Mitchell ultimately chooses Kentucky, Mark Pope could have a fascinating frontcourt featuring Mark Mitchell, Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno.
That combination would give Kentucky tremendous size, shooting and offensive versatility.
Mitchell would bring proven SEC production and the ability to create offense from the wing and forward positions. Momcilovic provides elite shooting, while Moreno gives the Wildcats a young interior presence who is expected to take a major step forward.
On paper, it would be one of the most intriguing frontcourts in the country.
But there is still a lot that needs to happen before that becomes reality.
Mitchell has only just entered the portal, and his next move remains unknown. The Do Not Contact designation may provide a clue about how quickly the recruitment could unfold, but it does not guarantee where he will ultimately play.
For Kentucky, though, the opportunity is now officially real.
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding Mitchell’s eligibility and transfer situation, the door has opened.
Now the question is whether Mark Pope can get him through it and into Lexington.
