In major shift amid court battles, Mark Mitchell plans on return to Mizzou

But despite the dramatic reversal, Mitchell’s return to Columbia is not completely finished.

The former Missouri star is still seeking a fifth year of eligibility, and his ability to take the floor this season remains tied to ongoing court proceedings. A preliminary injunction granted Aug. 21 allowed Mitchell and other athletes involved in a lawsuit to receive another season of eligibility while also opening a temporary transfer portal window. Mitchell initially used that opportunity to enter the portal and commit to Kentucky.

Just days later, however, the situation changed again.

Mitchell’s planned move from Missouri to Kentucky became complicated by the SEC’s intraconference transfer rules. The conference reaffirmed bylaws governing players transferring between SEC schools outside the sport’s traditional transfer window, creating the possibility of significant penalties for programs that violate the rules.

That left Mitchell with a difficult decision. He could attempt to continue his move to Kentucky and potentially challenge the conference rules, look outside the SEC or return to Missouri.

He chose Missouri.

The decision creates an unusual situation for the Tigers. Mitchell was already on Missouri’s roster last season, meaning his return would not represent a traditional transfer between SEC programs.

Still, Missouri will have work to do if Mitchell officially returns.

The Tigers have spent the offseason constructing their roster without expecting Mitchell to be part of it. Dennis Gates and his staff will now have to adjust the roster and make room for the possibility of adding back a player who was expected to be gone following last season. Missouri must navigate the roster limit while determining how Mitchell fits into a group that already includes two five-star freshmen in Jason Crowe Jr. and Toni Bryant — both, like Mitchell, McDonald's All Americans — along with a highly regarded transfer class led by former Kansas forward Bryson Tiller and Providence guard/forward Jamier Jones.

If the roster adjustments can be made and Mitchell ultimately receives final clearance to play, the Tigers would suddenly regain their most accomplished player.

Mitchell averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last season while helping Missouri reach the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. He was selected to an all-conference team for the second straight season and established himself as one of the most versatile forwards in the SEC.

His return would immediately change expectations for Gates’ roster.

But for now, the key word remains potential.

Mitchell has chosen not to attend Kentucky and intends to return to Missouri, yet his fifth year of eligibility remains subject to the legal process surrounding the injunction that initially reopened the door for his return to college basketball. Additional court rulings could still determine whether Mitchell ultimately receives the opportunity to play.

For Missouri, that means the door is open but has not completely closed behind the uncertainty.

The emotional goodbye March 7 might have been premature. Whether Mitchell gets another chance to step onto Norm Stewart Court, however, will depend on what happens next in court.