Missouri suspends Jaylen Carey for basketball opener, SEC rules DePaul transfer CJ Gunn ineligible

Missouri will begin their basketball season without projected starter Jaylen Carey, who has been suspended for breaking team rules, and DePaul transfer CJ Gunn, who has been deemed ineligible by the Southeastern Conference following his signing of a professional contract in May. Missouri head coach Dennis Gates announced Carey’s suspension on the day before their opening game against Cleveland State, while Gunn’s eligibility issues had already been anticipated due to his participation in the Canadian Elite Basketball League during the summer.

Missouri, which was the first team outside of the AP Top 25 preseason poll, has high expectations for the season, bringing in a highly touted freshman class, including five-star prospects Toni Bryant and Jason Crow Jr., as well as a transfer class that includes Bryson Tiller, Jamier Jones, and Kennard Davis Jr. Carey, a 6-foot-8 player from Tennessee, was also expected to be a crucial player, averaging 7.4 points and 6.0 rebounds last season.

The reason behind Carey’s suspension remains undisclosed, with Gates stating that he chooses not to disclose further details. It is unclear whether Carey will be available for a significant game against Saint Louis on Friday night. Mark Mitchell, an All-SEC forward, is eligible for Missouri and is one of many players who have received injunctions due to the NCAA’s new “five-for-five” eligibility model.

A Kentucky Court of Appeals judge recently denied the conference emergency relief that would have placed Mitchell on the sidelines for the start of the season. This uncertainty over his eligibility has left Gates planning for the season without final roster decisions. Gates expressed his concern over the potential disruption caused by such situations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistency and growth for the team's future prospects.