Mark Mitchell mug (copy)

Mark Mitchell

Courtesy of Mizzou Athletics
Shawn Phillips Jr. mug

Shawn Phillips Jr.

Courtesy of Mizzou Athletics

Former Missouri standout Mark Mitchell did not have to wait long to find an NBA opportunity.

After not getting picked during the NBA Draft on Tuesday and Wednesday, Mitchell signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, becoming one of the latest players from Dennis Gates’ program to earn a chance at the professional level.

Mitchell capped a stellar 2025-26 season by leading Missouri in scoring, rebounding and assists, averaging 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He became just the second player in school history to pace the Tigers in all three categories during the same season.

The two-time All-SEC selection was one of only eight players nationally to record at least 600 points, 170 rebounds and 110 assists during the season. His 18.3 points per game were the highest average by a Missouri player in 12 years.

Mitchell spent two seasons with the Tigers after transferring from Duke and quickly established himself as one of the SEC’s top players. In 66 games at Missouri, he totaled 1,064 points, 325 rebounds, 183 assists, 54 steals and 31 blocks. He also became one of only two Tigers to earn All-SEC honors twice since Missouri joined the conference in 2012, joining Kobe Brown.

Mitchell will arrive in Denver a year after former Missouri guard Tamar Bates signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets. Bates was waived by the Nuggets, but he could get another opportunity with them this summer. He and Mitchell were key contributors during Missouri’s NCAA Tournament run in the 2024-25 season.

Mitchell was not the only former Tiger to receive NBA news Thursday. Former Missouri center Shawn Phillips Jr. signed a summer league contract with the New Orleans Pelicans after going undrafted.

Phillips spent the 2024-2025 season with the Tigers providing frontcourt depth and rim protection. His signing gives Missouri two former players who secured NBA opportunities after this past season.

The signings continue a growing trend of Missouri players reaching the NBA under Gates.

Mitchell and Phillips are the sixth and seventh Tigers in the last four years to sign directly out of MU with an NBA franchise, joining Brown, D’Moi Hodge, Sean East II, Bates and Caleb Grill.

Schedule note

Missouri also announced another addition to its 2026-27 nonconference schedule Wednesday.

The Tigers will host Evansville at Mizzou Arena, marking the third all-time meeting between the programs. Missouri owns a 2-0 record in the series against the Purple Aces.