Kentucky Basketball may have another intriguing option emerging as Mark Pope works to finalize his 2026-27 roster.
The Wildcats remain focused on Mark Mitchell, who has been viewed as the priority for the final roster spot. But another potential option suddenly entered the picture Tuesday when Michigan State transfer Jaxon Kohler officially entered the NCAA transfer portal.
According to reports, Kohler became eligible to enter the portal after receiving a temporary restraining order against the NCAA as part of the ongoing California lawsuit involving transfer eligibility.
Not long after the news broke, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported that Kentucky is among the schools Kohler is considering. The Wildcats are joined by Kansas, BYU and Louisville.
That immediately gives Pope another intriguing possibility if the Mitchell situation doesn’t work out.
Kohler would bring plenty of experience and production to Lexington. The 6-foot-10, 245-pound forward averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for Michigan State last season while shooting an impressive 38.9% from three-point range on 4.3 attempts per game.
Those numbers make him particularly interesting for Kentucky.
Pope has built a roster around versatility, shooting and length, and Kohler’s ability to stretch the floor while providing a physical presence inside could make him a natural fit in Kentucky’s system.
However, the Wildcats may have an uphill battle.
BYU has previously been reported as the favorite to land Kohler, and the Utah native has strong ties to the area after growing up only about 15 miles from BYU’s campus. A return home could make the Cougars difficult to beat.
For now, Kentucky’s attention remains on Mitchell.
But if that pursuit doesn’t end with Mitchell joining the Wildcats, Kohler could become a name worth watching closely.
The 6-foot-10 forward offers a combination of rebounding, scoring and three-point shooting that could make him an ideal alternative for Pope’s final roster spot.
Kentucky may not be the favorite right now, but with the portal door suddenly open, this situation could become very interesting for BBN.
