BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Dennis Gates isn’t backing away from Mark Mitchell, even with the Missouri forward’s eligibility still unsettled.
Mitchell is scheduled to be in Jefferson Circuit Court on Oct. 14 for a hearing, which forced Gates to move his own appearance at SEC Tipoff up a day. Gates had been slated to join Mizzou’s contingent at the conference’s annual media event on Oct. 14, but his plans changed because of Mitchell’s court date.
And Gates made clear he intends to be there in person.
“When we were 0-19, that young man stepped foot on our campus,” Gates said, pointing to Missouri’s 2023-24 season, when the Tigers went 0-18 in SEC play during the regular season and then lost in their first league tournament game. “And the last two years, we were able to go to the NCAA Tournament. ...
I'll always be there for Mark Mitchell, man, without a doubt. And that's what it's about.
“It’s not about using these young people. It’s about stepping foot - lockstep with them every step of the way - so that they can know that they are supported.
It's about life, too. Life after sports.
Life after basketball.”
Mitchell, an All-SEC pick the last two seasons, had no eligibility left after the 2025-26 campaign ended. But once the NCAA adopted a new rule giving athletes five years to play five seasons, he joined a lawsuit in Jefferson County with other members of the 2022 high school graduating class in hopes of gaining another season.
After a temporary restraining order was granted, Mitchell committed to Kentucky and coach Mark Pope. But the SEC later said it intended to block intra-conference transfers from playing this season, and the Kansas native changed course again, deciding to return to Missouri.
Gates said he had no concerns about how the situation would affect his locker room.
“I don't want to sign, or would sign anybody, that distracts or would distract our locker room,” Gates said. “So there was no cutting (players from the roster). There was no manipulation.”
For Gates, the uncertainty doesn’t amount to a crisis.
“I've never been given a silver spoon. I've always had to do more with less,” he said.
“I've always had to make decisions at the last minute, last second. But also, it allows me to show that I'm talented in what I'm doing.
I'm a CEO, not just a basketball coach. I know how to manage people, manage egos, but also manage the locker room.
My players voted on these guys being here. I didn't have to make a decision.
“So when you're that transparent with your team? You're not going to have problems.”
If Mitchell ends up winning his eligibility fight, Missouri won’t have to wait long to see the fallout. Kentucky is scheduled to come to Mizzou Arena on Jan. 9 for a matchup in the “Show-Me State.”
Gates also said he never had a recruiting conversation with Mitchell while the forward worked through the transfer portal and briefly committed to Kentucky before returning to Missouri.
“I never had a recruiting conversation with Mark. Never had one conversation,” Gates said.
“I asked him, 'How can I help him?' That's it.
That's my answer. When you have a kid for two years, you don't have to recruit anybody. ...
When you do things the right way, you don't have to recruit.”
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