Mark Mitchell’s eligibility situation has taken another major turn, with the Missouri guard now ruled ineligible following a decision from the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
The court on Friday dissolved a temporary injunction that had allowed athletes from the 2022 high school recruiting class to compete for an additional season. As a result, Mitchell’s temporary eligibility has been removed, leaving him unable to play for Missouri under the current ruling.
The dispute centers on the NCAA’s eligibility rules for athletes who graduated from high school in 2022. Under the NCAA’s newer eligibility model, certain athletes in the 2023 class and later were given the opportunity to compete for five years, while the eligibility status of the 2022 class has remained at the center of the legal battle.
Mitchell had previously received temporary relief from Jefferson Circuit Court on Aug. 21, allowing him to pursue another season of college basketball. The Kentucky Court of Appeals, however, agreed with the NCAA’s request to dissolve that order.
The appeals court also determined that the lower court’s decision qualified as a temporary injunction because it changed the athletes’ existing eligibility status. According to the ruling, the lower court did not have enough evidence to justify granting that injunction.
Friday’s decision may not be the final chapter in Mitchell’s eligibility case. The appeals court indicated that the athletes could seek another temporary injunction through Kentucky’s circuit court. Mitchell could also choose to dismiss his Kentucky case and potentially pursue the matter in Missouri.
For Missouri coach Dennis Gates, Mitchell’s current ineligibility creates another significant roster issue heading into the 2026-27 season.
Mitchell has been one of the most accomplished players associated with Gates’ tenure at Missouri. Losing his availability would therefore leave the Tigers facing uncertainty as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
For now, Mitchell remains ineligible under the latest court ruling, although the legal process surrounding his eligibility is not necessarily over.
