The Southeastern Conference has officially ruled CJ Gunn ineligible to play for the Missouri Tigers this season, a decision that effectively ends his collegiate career with the program. According to CBS Sports, the SEC determined that Gunn violated eligibility rules by earning $524 for playing three games in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). Although Gunn repaid the funds to his team, strict league policy mandates disqualification for any compensation received during the off-season, overriding his previous legal victories.
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Gunn had joined the Mizzou roster in September after securing a temporary restraining order from a Dallas court, which allowed him to compete under the NCAA’s “5-in-5” rule. The former Lawrence North High School standout and two-year Indiana Hoosier had been averaging 13.0 points and 3.9 rebounds over his final two seasons at DePaul. His arrival in Columbia was highly anticipated, particularly after he captured the 3-point championship at Hinkle Fieldhouse in April, signaling a significant upgrade to Missouri’s perimeter shooting.
This ruling marks a sharp contrast to Gunn’s trajectory, where he was previously described as “looking like a different player” following his transfer from Indiana, where he averaged just 3.1 points per game between 2022 and 2024. The SEC’s decision highlights the increasingly rigid financial compliance standards governing college basketball, leaving Missouri without a key guard option and Gunn facing an uncertain future in professional or amateur competition.
Source: Yahoo Sports
