BYU basketball one step closer to landing Jaxon Kohler

The BYU Cougars basketball program received a bit of good news on Tuesday.

Kevin Young and his staff have been searching for a big man since the end of last season. There might be a strong candidate with ties to the Beehive state who just hit the transfer portal.

Former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler announced plans to leave East Lansing, according to multiple reports. The 6-foot-10, 245-pounder from American Fork, Utah had a breakout season for the Spartans last year.

BYU has been on Kohler's short list as a fifth-year transfer. Many have considered the Cougars as the front-runner to bring him back home. If that were to happen, it would be a huge win for Young and his staff after playing the waiting game.

Obviously, his fifth year status has required a court injunction, but it appears he's now in the clear by entering the portal. Kohler was also recently spotted playing pick-up ball with some current BYU players. He's also a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

As of now, there's no timetable for Kohler on when he'll make an announcement. BYU is also competing with Louisville and Kentucky for his services. Kohler would be one of the most sought-after hybrid centers during his unexpected "transfer period."

Kohler spent all four of his previous seasons under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. He averaged a career-high 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 season. He would be a great addition to BYU's lineup and able to keep up with the up tempo offense led by floor general Rob Wright III. In reality, he's an undersized center with tons of athleticism.

BYU has been eyeing a couple other centers, including the possibility of bringing back Keba Keita, who falls under the same ruling for fifth-year players seeking another year of eligibility. Sources say there's no situation where Keita and Kohler would both be headed to Provo. Which makes sense considering both players would be competing for playing time.

Keita went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft and signed a Summer League deal with the Indiana Pacers. He averaged 7.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game during the showcase. The highlight game that stood out was a 14-point, 7-rebound, 3-block performance against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Kohler isn't being rushed, but is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks. BYU currently has two open roster spots with at least one of them being reserved for a big man.

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