Mark Mitchell commits to Kentucky after 5th-year ruling
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- Mark Mitchell committed to Kentucky this season after averaging 18.3 points and hitting nearly 39% of his 3-point attempts last year at Missouri, his agent Brandon Mitchell of BAM Sports told ESPN.
- Kentucky Judge Brian Edwards cleared Mitchell via a temporary restraining order to play a fifth college season, ruling that the NCAA's bar on his eligibility couldn't be reconciled with its stated mission of a 'level playing field.'
- Mitchell went undrafted in the June NBA draft but signed an Exhibit 10 contract to compete for the Denver Nuggets' summer league squad before the ruling opened the door back to college.
- The NCAA has vowed to fight all federal and state cases seeking a fifth season; Mitchell's eligibility could be rescinded on appeal, as already occurred for athletes in a separate Colorado federal ruling on Friday.
- Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner, opposed Mitchell's return in court documents, citing 'significant roster instability' if athletes who had signed professional contracts were allowed back on collegiate rosters.
- Kentucky becomes a legitimate Final Four and SEC title contender with Mitchell and former Iowa State star Milan Momcilovic — the top available player in the transfer portal — joining Mark Pope's roster.
Why it matters: Kentucky instantly becomes a legitimate Final Four and SEC title contender by adding Mitchell (18.3 ppg, 39% from three) alongside Momcilovic, the top available portal player. Separately, athletes have won the vast majority of state-court eligibility challenges filed so far, putting the NCAA on the wrong side of a widening legal front.
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