BYU basketball lands 5-in-5 Michigan State transfer Jaxon Kohler
Aug 20, 2026, 7:39 PM | Updated: 10:40 pm
PROVO – Patience paid off for BYU basketball in the frontcourt.
BYU has picked up a commitment from former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler. A player who, a few weeks ago, probably thought his college career was over. However, an injunction in California allowed Kohler to take advantage of the NCAA’s new 5-in-5 rule, giving him an extra year of college eligibility.
Jaxon Kohler commits to BYU basketball
Kohler committed to BYU Thursday night, giving the Cougars an all-conference player from the Big Ten who could play the four- or five-spot.
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The 6-foot-10, 245-pound big man picked BYU over Kentucky, Louisville, and Kansas.
Earlier this summer, Kohler looked to begin a career in the NBA by playing on the Utah Jazz Summer League team. Instead, he will play his fifth and final season with BYU.
A native of American Fork, Kohler will conclude his collegiate career near his hometown in Utah County.
Kohler averaged 12.5 points per game in his senior year for the Spartans, where he became an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten performer. He also grabbed 8.9 rebounds per game and shot 38.9% from 3-point range and 50% from the field.
BYU’s fall semester begins September 2, with official practices starting close to three weeks later.
Adding Kohler gives BYU a proven big man with pro potential. Something they have been coveting since the offseason roster construction began in April.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
