Celtics' Dillon Mitchell May Return to St. John's After Court Ruling

Dillon Mitchell, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 40th overall pick, may have the opportunity to return to St. John's for an additional season. This potential move follows a recent court ruling regarding college eligibility that could impact several unsigned second-round picks from the 2022 draft.

The NCAA's newly implemented "five for five" rule allows Division I athletes five years to complete five seasons of competition, eliminating red-shirt years and transfer restrictions. However, this change left the 2022 graduating class without options until U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued an injunction allowing them to potentially gain an extra year of eligibility. The NCAA is currently appealing this decision.

Mitchell is reportedly considering a return to St. John's, where he averaged 13 points per game during the Summer League. Alongside him, several other players from the 2022 class, including Tyler Nickel, Richie Saunders, Braden Smith, and Lajae Jones, may also explore the possibility of returning to college basketball.

Nickel, who played for Vanderbilt, showcased his skills during the Summer League, averaging 12.2 points per game with a 41.3% shooting rate from beyond the arc. His performance has attracted interest from the New York Knicks, who are looking to bolster their roster with experienced players rather than rookies. Should these players opt for a return to college, the NBA teams that drafted them would retain their rights, creating a draft-and-stash scenario similar to those previously seen with European players.