Mark Mitchell transfers to Kentucky for final year of eligibility

LEXINGTON, Ky. (KMIZ)

Former Mizzou star Mark Mitchell will be back at Mizzou Arena in the 2026-27 season...but in different colors.

On Saturday, his brother and agent confirmed on Instagram that the two-time All-SEC selection is taking his talents to the Kentucky Wildcats for his fifth and final year of eligibility. The forward went to the G league this summer, and had an exhibit 10 deal with the Denver Nuggets. However, a Kentucky judge granted the Kansas City native a temporary restraining order, so that he could be eligible for the upcoming college basketball season and, crucially, enter the transfer portal.

After that, Mitchell wasted no time in finding his new landing spot, as he entered the transfer portal shortly after receiving that ruling. And now, just about 24 hours later, he's committed to the team that reports have been linking him to for weeks.

Wildcat head coach Mark Pope is getting quite a talent with Mitchell, who averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in about 33 minutes per game, as a senior. He shot at a 55 percent clip from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range. Leading the Tigers in scoring, rebounding and assists, Mitchell earned a Second Team All-SEC selection and NABC Central District Second Team recognition, in the 2025-26 campaign.

The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward has also done quite a bit of damage to Kentucky over the years, as he's scored at least 20 points in all three of his career matchups against the Wildcats, both at Mizzou and Duke. In fact, he was critical in head coach Dennis Gates and company's big upset over Kentucky inside Rupp Arena, this past season.

Mitchell and the Wildcats will visit Mizzou Arena in the upcoming season, on Saturday, Jan. 9.