A former Spartan will pursue the opportunity to play again at the college level, and he has some teams in mind for where he could end up.
Former Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler will reportedly explore a return to college basketball for a fifth season, with a trio of new teams in the mix. According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Kohler is receiving interest from Kansas, Kentucky and BYU. A return to Michigan State is also considered as “possible” by Rothstein.
Kohler wrapped up his four-year career with the Spartans this past season, averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game to help Michigan State reach the Sweet 16. He was not selected in the 2026 NBA Draft but competed with the Utah Jazz in the NBA summer leagues.
Advertisement
Kohler has been rumored to be in close contact with BYU so the assumption is that if he doesn’t return to Michigan State then it’ll be with the local Cougars. Without any inside information, I would be surprised if he doesn’t end up playing for BYU next season (assuming things work out in his favor where he gets to play another season of college hoops).
If Michigan State is able to add Kohler to its roster for another season, then it would certainly benefit their chances at winning the national championship. But it’s also unclear at this time if Michigan State has a spot for Kohler given its current roster construction. Ultimately, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out, with an expectation that Kohler will end up somewhere that’ll be very happy to have him.
1 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Mar 19, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) takes a shot during the second half against the North Dakota State Bison during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
(Mark Konezny, Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)
1 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Mar 19, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) takes a shot during the second half against the North Dakota State Bison during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
(Mark Konezny, Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)
2 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against San Jose State during the first half on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
3 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jordan Scott shoots against San Jose State during the second half on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
4 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. looks at Colgate’s bench after his steal and score during the first half on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
5 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jordan Scott celebrates after Carson Cooper’s score against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
6 / 36
Popular podcast discusses MSU hoops as ‘legit’ national title contender
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 13: Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles up court during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on February 13, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
(John Fisher, Getty Images)
7 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr, right, shoots UCLA’s Xavier Booker defends during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
8 / 36
MSU player states Spartans have one more big non-conference game to announce
Michigan State’s Cam Ward celebrates after a score and a Northwestern foul during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
9 / 36
Spartans move up in latest preseason poll from prominent national analyst
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
10 / 36
Spartans ahead of Wolverines in new Big Ten power rankings
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans calls out a play in the first half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on March 08, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
11 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Nov 18, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
12 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 13: Kur Teng #2 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots over Skyy Clark #55 of the UCLA Bruins during the first half in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
13 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against Iowa during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
14 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 13: Jordan Scott #6 and Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans high five against the UCLA Bruins during the first half in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
15 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State forward Coen Carr (55) makes a layup against Bowling Green forward Wilguens Jr. Exacte (7) during the second half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
(Junfu Han, Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
16 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – FEBRUARY 04: Jordan Scott #6 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Isaac Asuma #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Williams Arena on February 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(David Berding, Getty Images)
17 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Cam Ward dunks against Maryland during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
18 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Cam Ward, right, celebrates with teammates Divine Ugochukwu, left, and Carson Cooper after a play against Bowling Green during the first half on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
19 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Nov 18, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Kur Teng (2) shoots the ball as Kentucky Wildcats guard Kam Williams (3) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
20 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Kur Teng, right, moves the ball as Duke’s Cameron Boozer defends during the second half on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
21 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Dec 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Jesse McCulloch (35) shoots the ball during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O’Haren, Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)
22 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Kur Teng makes a 3-pointer as Toledo’s Jaylan Ouwinga defends during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
23 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jesse McCulloch grabs a rebound against Toledo during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
24 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jesse McCulloch celebrates after drawing a Michigan foul during the first half on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
25 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Mar 18, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Kaleb Glenn (8) dunks the ball during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
(Gregory Fisher, Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)
26 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Mar 18, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Kaleb Glenn (8) shoots the ball during a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
(Gregory Fisher, Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images)
27 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Jan 27, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) reacts during overtime against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
28 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against Cornell during the first half on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
29 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jordan Scott celebrates after a 3-pointer against Duke during the second half on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
30 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Cam Ward, right, is fouled by Colgate’s Ayomi Odetoyinbo during the second half on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
31 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Oct 28, 2025; Hartford, CT, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Cam Ward (3) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Connecticut Huskies at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
(Mark Smith, Mark Smith-Imagn Images)
32 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Jan 27, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Kur Teng (2) dribbles up court against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
(Vincent Carchietta, Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
33 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., center, jaws with Michigan’s Tre Donaldson, right, after Fears hit a ball off Donaldson and out of bounds during the first half on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
34 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. moves the ball against Illinois during the first half on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
35 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s Jesse McCulloch, right, pressures Michigan’s Aday Mara during the first half on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
36 / 36
Best photos of key Spartans returning for 2026-27 season
Michigan State’s coach Tom Izzo, left, jokes with injured transfer Kaleb Glenn during the first day of basketball practice on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
(Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Former Spartan reportedly pursuing 5th year, getting interest from power programs
