SEC declares CJ Gunn ineligible for entire Mizzou season

The Southeastern Conference ruled Missouri guard CJ Gunn ineligible for the entire 2026-27 season.

Coach Dennis Gates confirmed the decision Monday, one day before the Tigers open against Cleveland State.

The ruling ends a monthslong legal battle over Gunn's college basketball eligibility.

Gunn participated in three games with the Calgary Surge of the Canadian Elite Basketball League in May.

He received $524 in compensation for those games.

Although Gunn repaid the money, the SEC determined that his participation violated its eligibility rules.

The SEC passed a rule this summer that prevents any basketball or football player from returning to play in the SEC if they signed a professional contract after enrolling in college.

Gunn signed a professional contract with the Calgary Surge, which triggered the rule.

His case went through multiple legal turns before the season.

A Boone County judge granted Gunn a temporary restraining order, allowing him to remain eligible while his case moved forward.

That temporary eligibility was extended until 5 p.m. on Nov. 2 following a canceled hearing.

But the SEC's final determination closed that legal path.

No appeal is available, Gates told CBS Sports.

The timing of the decision leaves Gunn with few options.

The NBA G League draft was completed in October.

Because the SEC's ruling came too late, Gunn cannot be drafted into the G League this season.

Gunn is a class of 2022 recruit who spent two seasons each at Indiana and DePaul.

He started 54 games in two years for the Blue Demons.

He averaged 13 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game at DePaul.

He shot 50% from the floor and 31.5% from three-point range in those two years.

Ninety percent of his field goal attempts were from three-point range.

He won the three-point contest at this year's Final Four.

Gunn had pre-draft workouts with both the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors but went undrafted.

He then signed with the Calgary Surge, where he appeared in two games before being released.

Gunn was not expected to start for Missouri but would have provided depth on a team with Top 25 aspirations.

The SEC's ruling on Gunn came down to "post-enrollment" status, the same standard applied to RJ Luis at LSU.

Luis left college after 2025 and was trying to play one final season for coach Will Wade's program.

By holding out Gunn, the SEC stood firm on its stance and likely reinforced a message to LSU.

If Gunn were given an exception, LSU would have understandably tried to do the same, potentially bringing another lawsuit.

Although Gunn's situation is notably different from Luis, the SEC clearly was not going to allow any infringement on its new rule.