BYU basketball news: Former Michigan State big transfers to Cougars after Jazz stint

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Jaxon Kohler is coming home. The former Michigan State big man has committed to BYU, ending a whirlwind recruitment that saw several national programs chase one of the most accomplished players left in the transfer portal.

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Kohler, a native of American Fork, Utah, spent the last four seasons playing under Tom Izzo in East Lansing. He appeared in 127 games for the Spartans and was a key piece of a deep NCAA Tournament run last season.

The 6-foot-9 forward is coming off the finest campaign of his career, averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from three, good enough to earn All Big Ten honorable mention.

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His path back to Utah was anything but ordinary. After wrapping up four years with Michigan State, Kohler initially pursued a professional career. He went undrafted in 2026 before joining the Utah Jazz for NBA Summer League on a non guaranteed deal, appearing in four games and posting an 11 point, seven rebound outing against Memphis.

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A legal development reopened the door to college basketball. Kohler was among a group of class of 2022 athletes granted additional eligibility through a preliminary injunction, making him eligible to play a fifth season in 2026-27. That unexpected availability triggered a scramble, with Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and BYU all entering the picture before the race narrowed to the Cougars and Wildcats.

Several factors made Provo a natural fit. Beyond his Utah roots, Kohler is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the school’s sponsoring faith. Just as important was opportunity, as BYU had endured a thin offseason at center and needed a proven interior presence. Kohler now slots in as the projected starting center for Kevin Young’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/byu-basketball-news-former-michigan-091657599.html

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Publish date : 2026-08-21 09:16:00

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