Mark Mitchell’s status for the 2026-27 season has taken another major turn after the Kentucky Court of Appeals dissolved a temporary injunction that had allowed athletes from the 2022 high school class to compete for an additional season.
The appeals court granted the NCAA’s request Friday, overturning the temporary order issued by Jefferson Circuit Court on Aug. 21. As a result, Mitchell is once again ruled ineligible to compete for Missouri under the current decision.
Mitchell had been given temporary eligibility after his case became part of a larger legal battle involving athletes from the 2022 recruiting class. The dispute centers on the NCAA’s eligibility rules and whether players who graduated high school in 2022 should be permitted to compete for a fifth season.
Under the NCAA’s newer eligibility model, athletes from the 2023 class onward receive five years to compete over a five-year period.
The latest ruling also addressed the nature of the original Jefferson Circuit Court decision. The appeals court determined that the order qualified as a temporary injunction because it changed the athletes’ existing eligibility status. According to the court, there was not enough evidence to justify granting that injunction.
Mitchell’s situation had already drawn attention after he and CJ Gunn appeared on a printed Missouri roster in a photo shared on social media by Mizzou official Mario Moccia. The post was later deleted.
Despite the latest setback, Mitchell’s legal fight may not be finished.
The Kentucky Court of Appeals indicated that the athletes could seek another temporary injunction through the Kentucky circuit court. Mitchell could also choose to dismiss his Kentucky case and attempt to pursue the matter in Missouri instead.
For Missouri coach Dennis Gates, the uncertainty surrounding Mitchell represents a significant concern. Mitchell has been one of the most accomplished players associated with Gates’ tenure at Mizzou, and losing him would leave a major hole in the Tigers’ plans for the upcoming season.
For now, however, Mitchell remains ineligible while the legal battle over his eligibility continues.
