Feb 18, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Mark Mitchell (25) warms up against the Vanderbilt Commodores prior to a game at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Big news for Mark Mitchell and Kentucky as the former Blue Devil is now a Wildcat.

UK Coach Mark Pope kept a roster spot open for just such a situation, and now, at least for the moment, assuming the courts don’t overrule this decision, Kentucky can pair Mitchell with Milan Momcilovic for one of the better pairs of forwards in the country.

That is, assuming the temporary restraining order stays in place, and there’s no guarantee that it will.

First, Mitchell signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets. And second, the NCAA is pushing back against the various legal actions to get players a fifth year, and with some success.

So for now, Mitchell can enroll and practice; he has no guarantees that he’ll be able to suit up, much less play the entire season.

The NCAA has pointed to four particular arguments:

Intentional Non-Retroactivity of the New Rules. The basic idea here is that players in the class of 2022 had four seasons plus a redshirt year if needed or desired, and that deal was honored. Conflict with the House Settlement. Basically, the NCAA argues that the House agreement set up new roster limits and revenue-sharing caps, and that that was designed for a specific number of athletes. Adding an extra class, it argues, causes all sorts of issues. Protecting Existing Portal Rules. Essentially, judges are undermining the portal and again causing chaos. Status Quo. The argument here is that imposing change by judicial fiat causes “irreparable harm,” including players who could lose their roster spots.

So, as we’ve already seen, nothing is cast in stone.

Still, if things stand, it’s a real coup for Pope and his program, and could even help him to retain his job.

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