BYU added a massive late addition to its roster as Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler announced his commitment to BYU. Kohler is eligible to play this coming season as the state of California lawsuit he was part of received a temporary injunction allowing fifth-year graduated players college eligibility. The NCAA may appeal the decision.
The American Fork, Utah native is LDS and was one of the best big men in the Big 10 last year. Kohler spent all four seasons at Michigan State, going from bench
player his first two seasons to starting 69 games his last two seasons for Tom Izzo. Kohler went from a back-to-basket big man his first two year two a stretch big his last season. As a senior, Kohler averaged 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and shot 39% from three and and 87% from the FT line. Kohler was 0-5 combined his first two seasons from three, and as a senior shot 58-139. For all players listed at 6-foot-10 or taller, Jaxon was tied for sixth in college basketball last season in threes made (stat courtesy of X account CBBAnalystics). Listed at 6-foot-10 by Michigan State, Kohler primarily played the four in Michigan State’s big lineup but will likely primarily play the five spot at BYU.
Had Jaxon entered the transfer portal back in April, he would be a top 10 transfer this cycle. If he would have entered the portal then, he would have been the most impactful player big man BYU could have realistically landed. Just look at what Kohler did when Michigan State played at Michigan, the national champion with three lottery big men in their frontcourt. Kohler scored 23 points and grabbed 8 boards on 10-13 shooting from the floor and 2-4 from three. He led the Spartans in points and rebounds against the vaunted Wolverine front line. Kohler had 12 double doubles last season and was top 5 in the Big 10 and offensive and defensive rebound percentage.
Kohler takes BYU to a fringe top 25 team to a Big 12 title title contender. I have Jaxon as the best offensive big man in the Big 12 and one of the three best bigs in the league along with Arizona’s Mo Krivas and Houston’s Jo Tugler.
Jaxon is not a shot blocker, and I have questions about BYU’s defense. He does bring effort and great rebounding prowess on that end, however, and should make BYU one the nation’s top offenses. No big that is elite on both ends of the floor stays in college more than one year. Jaxon is a fifth-year senior that will be one of the top big men in college basketball. Out of any big man that BYU has pursued this offseason, none would have been more impactful or lead to more wins that Kohler will.
Jaxon never had great spacing at Michigan State, and will operate with terrific spacing at BYU. With guys like Rob Wright, Collin Chandler, Bruch Branch, Jake Wahlin, Tyler Betsey, and others, Jaxon will have more space than he has ever had in his college career. If can operate on the block one-and-one and bring the opposing big out with his floor spacing. If BYU wants to go bigger, he and Jakub Urbaniak can play on the floor together since both can shoot the three ball and Jakub can guard multiple positions.
Jaxon is a home run addition and could make this the best team in Kevin Young’s three seasons, blending talent and depth. BYU has one more roster spot to fill.
You can watch highlights of Jaxon below.
