A legal battle for fifth-year eligibility could send the former Michigan State captain back to college, with the Cougars emerging as favorites to land the local standout.
Utah Jazz big man Jaxon Kohler may be preparing for an unexpected twist to his Utah homecoming. According to BYU Cougars Wire, the former Michigan State captain is in heavy contact with BYU and is likely to transfer there if his California injunction for a fifth year of eligibility is granted. The development adds another layer to Kohler’s already unusual offseason, which has included both NBA Summer League action and a legal battle over the NCAA’s new “five‑in‑five” model.\
Kohler, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Jazz after the 2026 NBA Draft, has been spotted playing pickup with BYU players throughout the offseason, which in turn has fueled speculation about a potential return to college basketball. The report suggests that BYU has emerged as the frontrunner should Kohler regain eligibility, creating the possibility of a high‑profile transfer into the Cougars’ frontcourt.
The injunction, filed in California on behalf of athletes from the high school class of 2022, argues that seniors who exhausted their four seasons in 2025‑26 should still qualify for a fifth year under the NCAA’s updated eligibility framework. Kohler is one of the players named in the filing, and a successful ruling would give him the option to step back into the college game.
For the Jazz, the situation is unusual but not disruptive, as Kohler’s Exhibit 10 contract positions him for training camp and potential G League development, but it does not prevent him from returning to college if he chooses. Utah’s front office is surely monitoring the case, but the team is operating under the assumption that Kohler will remain in their system unless the legal process opens a new door.
A BYU landing spot would carry local significance due to the fact that the Utah native not only played his Summer League games in a Jazz uniform, but he grew up in the state and has already built connections within the basketball community. A transfer to BYU would give the Cougars a seasoned, 6‑foot‑9 interior presence with Big Ten experience and a strong finishing profile, and it would also keep Kohler in Utah regardless of which path he chooses.
The next step hinges entirely on the injunction, and if granted, Kohler will definitely have a decision to make. However, if it is denied, he remains full‑speed ahead with the Jazz.
But for now, the possibility of a BYU homecoming is real and gaining momentum.
