Mark Mitchell drops Kentucky commitment, heads back to Missouri

Mark Mitchell, the 6-foot-9 forward who had committed to Kentucky for the 2026-27 season, will not enroll with the Wildcats and is returning to Missouri, where he played last season. The decision follows SEC intra-conference transfer scrutiny and pushback from league officials, as well as a court-driven effort granting him a fifth year of eligibility. Mitchell averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game for Missouri last season and previously played at Duke, generating significant preseason buzz for Kentucky before the change of course. Kentucky’s pursuit of Mitchell collided with SEC transfer rules and ongoing legal challenges, ultimately leading to the decommitment and Missouri re-enrollment. The controversy surrounding fifth-year eligibility and intra-conference transfers helped shape the outcome, with the SEC signaling potential penalties for similar intra-league moves. Mitchell’s return to Missouri ends Kentucky’s bid to add him for 2026-27 and leaves Missouri poised to feature him again this season.