Kentucky could still have one more move left to make before the 2026-27 roster is finalized, and Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler has quickly emerged as a player to watch.
Following a recent court ruling that granted eligible Class of 2022 athletes an additional season of college eligibility, Kohler is exploring the possibility of returning to college basketball for a fifth year. According to CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein, Kentucky, Kansas, and BYU have all shown interest, while a return to Michigan State remains an option.
The 6-foot-10, 245-pound forward has spent all four seasons with the Spartans and is coming off the best campaign of his collegiate career. Kohler averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of the Big Ten’s most reliable frontcourt players.
His growth as a perimeter shooter is one of the biggest reasons he has become an attractive transfer target. After averaging just 1.4 three-point attempts per game as a junior, Kohler expanded his offensive game last season by attempting 4.3 threes per contest while shooting an impressive 38.9 percent from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the floor while providing size and rebounding fits well with the up-tempo offensive style Mark Pope has implemented at Kentucky.
Wildcats fans are already familiar with what Kohler can do. He played a major role in Michigan State’s 83-66 victory over Kentucky in the Champions Classic, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range. He also contributed five rebounds, two assists, and one block in an outstanding all-around performance.
If Kentucky decides to aggressively pursue Kohler, he could fill a role similar to the one Andrew Carr played under Pope. Like Carr, Kohler offers positional versatility, strong rebounding, and the ability to space the floor, giving Kentucky another experienced weapon in the frontcourt.
With the Wildcats reportedly still having an available scholarship, Kohler’s combination of experience, production, and shooting makes him a logical target as Pope looks to put the finishing touches on his roster.
No decision has been made regarding Kohler’s future, but his name is one Kentucky fans should continue to monitor as the Wildcats search for what could be the final piece of their roster.
