Missouri forward Mark Mitchell is ineligible again, at least for now. The Kentucky Court of Appeals on Friday dissolved an Aug. 21 order that had cleared him to play a fifth college season, leaving his Mark Mitchell eligibility for 2026-27 in doubt.
The appeals court sided with the NCAA and threw out the temporary relief granted by the Jefferson Circuit Court. The underlying lawsuit is still alive.
What the Mark Mitchell eligibility ruling means
The NCAA adopted an age-based eligibility model in June that gives most athletes up to five years of eligibility going forward. Players who had already used their four seasons under the old rules, including Mitchell, sued to be covered as well.
The ruling also affects Louisville’s Seth Trimble and LSU’s Skyy Clark, among others, CBS Sports reported. The NCAA maintains that eligibility already exhausted cannot be restored under the new model.
What it means for Missouri
Mitchell, who re-signed with Missouri on Sept. 1, is considered a potential all-SEC player. CBS Sports reported that Missouri projects as the No. 39 team nationally with him in Evanmiya.com’s preseason ratings and No. 54 without him.
The Tigers open the season Nov. 3 against Cleveland State.
What happens next
Mitchell and other players are expected to file new lawsuits in their home states to seek fresh injunctions. One possible path would be a new case in Missouri before the opener. Mizzou football player Sterling Webb won a similar order in St. Louis County and has played in all four games this season, Yahoo Sports reported.
Success is not guaranteed. Until a court says otherwise, Mitchell cannot suit up for the Tigers. For more on the NCAA and eligibility, read about the NCAA’s decision on Brendan Sorsby, and for college hoops roster news see the Luke Paul Duke pledge.
