SEC Declares Missouri Guard CJ Gunn Ineligible, Starting Center Jaylen Carey Suspended Indefinitely

Missouri’s basketball program received a double blow on Monday, as the SEC declared guard CJ Gunn ineligible and coach Dennis Gates announced the indefinite suspension of projected starting center Jaylen Carey.

Gates told CBS Sports that the league office delivered the decision less than two days before the Tigers’ opening game on Tuesday night against Cleveland State. The timing left Missouri scrambling to finalize its roster before the SEC’s submission deadline on Monday evening.

Gunn’s ineligibility stems from a summer SEC rule that bars any basketball or football player from returning to SEC competition after signing a professional contract post‑enrollment. He earned $524 for three appearances in the Canadian Elite Basketball League in May, a sum under the $600 threshold that still triggers the rule, according to Gates. The SEC’s ruling also prevents Gunn from entering the G League draft, which occurred in October, because the decision was finalized after the draft deadline.

Gunn, a four‑year player who spent his last two seasons at DePaul, was not slated to start for Missouri but was expected to provide depth for a team with Top 25 aspirations. The SEC’s strict enforcement mirrors a similar “post‑enrollment” ruling applied to LSU’s RJ Luis, signaling the league’s intent to uphold the new policy uniformly.

In addition to Gunn’s situation, Gates confirmed that Jaylen Carey is suspended indefinitely. While the nature of Carey’s violation was not disclosed, Gates emphasized that it will not jeopardize his standing with the team. The suspension’s length remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether Carey will be available for the highly anticipated Friday matchup against Saint Louis.

Missouri now faces the daunting task of reshaping its lineup without a depth guard and a projected starter, just as the season kicks off.