A temporary injunction granted Wednesday placed athletes from the Class of 2022 in line for a fifth year of eligibility during the 2026-27 season, the result of a Kentucky lawsuit against the NCAA that drew testimony from multiple college coaches, including Missouri's Dennis Gates. Among those players is Mark Mitchell, a forward out of Missouri.
The court order bars the NCAA — along with its officers, agents, employees, representatives, successors, assigns, and anyone acting alongside or through it — from applying Bylaw 12.6, or any other bylaw, to strip the named plaintiffs of their eligibility to compete at the Division I level during the 2026–2027 season on the grounds that they have already used four seasons of competition. The order further restrains the association from withholding eligibility because a player did not enter the transfer portal during the original spring window, or because a plaintiff had signed a professional contract that was subsequently voided.
According to the lawsuit, the court order also bars the NCAA from applying the ghost transfer rule against the plaintiffs, any member institution, or any coach associated with a team the plaintiffs play for or face as opponents.
Gates arrived at SEC Tipoff '27 a day ahead of schedule, with his stated purpose being to stand alongside Mitchell at Wednesday's hearing. Gates told reporters he would always be there for Mark Mitchell, and when pressed on the point, he confirmed that position without hesitation.
Gates also stated that the intention centres on partnership with those student athletes rather than treating them as a resource to be drawn upon. Mitchell topped the Tigers' scoring charts across both of the previous two seasons and is expected to contribute to the roster next year, provided his eligibility application is ultimately approved on a permanent basis.
Gates also went on record in support of fellow fifth-year Tiger C.J. Gunn, who had obtained a temporary injunction through a Boone County court on Wednesday. That injunction is set to expire the morning of October 24. Gates indicated that backing those involved through their appeals and related proceedings remained the priority, and added that the court system warranted respect.
Gates stated that backing student athletes remains the position he feels obligated to uphold, and expressed the view that athletes at this level of competition deserve adequate backing and resources.
Missouri has scheduled its media day for 11 a.m. Monday at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers' preseason slate consists of two away fixtures — a matchup with Kansas State on Oct. 23 followed by a date with UNLV on Oct. 29. Opening night for the home schedule falls on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., when Cleveland State visits Mizzou Arena.
