LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — While Kentucky worked through summer sessions with a new look squad, Mark Pope held one spot available on the roster while the ever changing landscape of college sports delivered a potential new group to recruit from.
Among the possibilities, adding a high school class of 2022 graduate to the roster that gained a fifth season by challenging the NCAA's implementation of a new age based eligibility model. Earlier this week, while the NCAA got a stay in the federal case based in Colorado, 13 student-athletes in Kentucky received a win delivering a sought after fifth year of eligibility. Among that group: former Missouri and Duke forward Mark Mitchell.
On Saturday night, Mitchell made a swift decision and committed to utilize his newly granted fifth season to play for the Wildcats. Mitchell's representation, BAM Sports & Entertainment, confirmed the news with LEX Sports.
Mitchell started his collegiate career in 2022 with Duke, where he played two season and started 67 games for the Blue Devils. In 2024, Mitchell transferred to Missouri where he'd blossom with the Tigers.
In two seasons in Columbia, Mitchell averaged 16.1 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game. Last season, he expanded upon his offensive game by shooting at a 38.8 percent clip from beyond the arc.
Mitchell brings an immediate scoring presence, with an immense amount of experience. He's started 133 games at the collegiate level, and figures to be a key piece of Pope's plan for this upcoming season.
