Former Missouri standout Mark Mitchell did not have to wait long to find an NBA opportunity.
After going undrafted during the NBA Draft on Tuesday and Wednesday, Mitchell signed a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, becoming the latest player from Dennis Gates’ program to earn a chance at the professional level.
Mitchell capped off a stellar 2025-26 season by leading Missouri in scoring, rebounding and assists, averaging 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He became just the second player in school history to pace the Tigers in all three categories during the same season.
The two-time All-SEC selection was one of only eight players nationally to record at least 600 points, 170 rebounds and 110 assists during the season. His 18.3 points per game were the highest average by a Missouri player in 12 years.
Mitchell spent two seasons with the Tigers after transferring from Duke and quickly established himself as one of the SEC’s top players. In 66 games at Missouri, he totaled 1,064 points, 325 rebounds, 183 assists, 54 steals and 31 blocks. He also became one of only two Tigers to earn All-SEC honors twice since Missouri joined the conference in 2012, joining Kobe Brown.
Mitchell will arrive in Denver with a familiar connection already in place. Former Missouri guard Tamar Bates is currently on a two-way contract with the Nuggets after earning an opportunity with the organization following the 2025 NBA Draft. Bates and Mitchell were key contributors during Missouri’s NCAA Tournament run in the 2024-25 season and now find themselves in the same NBA organization.
Mitchell was not the only former Tiger to receive NBA news Thursday. Former Missouri center Shawn Phillips Jr. signed a summer league contract with the New Orleans Pelicans after going undrafted earlier in the week. Phillips spent the 2024-2025 season with the Tigers providing frontcourt depth and rim protection. His signing gives Missouri two former players who secured NBA opportunities.
The signings continue a growing trend of Missouri players reaching the NBA under Gates. Mitchell and Phillips are the seventh and eighth Tigers in the last four years to sign directly with an NBA franchise, joining Brown, D’Moi Hodge, Sean East II, Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill.
Schedule Note
Missouri also announced another addition to its 2026-27 nonconference schedule Wednesday. The Tigers will host Evansville at Mizzou Arena, marking the third all-time meeting between the programs. Missouri owns a 2-0 record in the series against the Purple Aces.
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