Reports: Mark Mitchell set to return to Mizzou

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

All-SEC forward Mark Mitchell has decommitted from Kentucky and will return to play for the Mizzou Tigers in 2026-27, according to multiple reports. PowerMizzou was the first to report the move on social media, claiming Mitchell would come back to Columbia, pending a fifth year of eligibility.

While the team has not made any official comments, a source has confirmed that head coach Dennis Gates would not need to cut a player to make room for him.

Mitchell's brother and agent confirmed on Instagram on Aug. 22 that the two-time All-SEC selection would join the Kentucky Wildcats. The forward went to the G League this summer and had an Exhibit 10 deal with the Denver Nuggets. A Kentucky judge granted the Kansas City native a temporary restraining order, meaning he could be eligible for the upcoming college basketball season and, crucially, enter the transfer portal.

However, with the recent turmoil around the Southeastern Conference bringing back athletes who had left to pursue a professional career, that decision to head to Lexington was put in jeopardy. Just days after the announcement was made, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stated that the conference would still hold up its intraconference transfer rules that state an athlete needs to sit out for a year if he swaps from one SEC school to another.

Should the forward return to CoMo, the Tigers would get back their leader in scoring, rebounds and assists from the 2025-26 season.