Former Spartan considered one of top available 5th year players

A former Spartan is considered one of the top available players on the market pursuing a fifth year of college hoops.

The college basketball world has been turned upside down of sorts, with a new court injunction making players in the class of 2022 eligible for a fifth year of hoops. This is especially impactful for former Michigan State star forward Jaxon Kohler, who is considered one of the top players available.

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CBS Sports released a tiered list of the top available players that could return to college basketball, with Kohler landing in the top tier — “max players.” Here’s what was said about Kohler by Isaac Trotter:

“Kohler was the second-best player on a Michigan State club that earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-10, 245-pound big man can play the 4 or the 5 and is a voracious rebounder with real skill as a pick-and-pop big or post-up threat. Kohler cashed 58 3-pointers at a 39% clip last season and profiles as a double-double machine if he gets a fifth season. Kohler will have a ton of suitors — headlined by Kentucky, Kansas and BYU — with a return to Michigan State potentially on the table as well.”

As Trotter noted, BYU, Kansas and Kentucky are the three schools in play to land Kohler via the transfer portal. At this time, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo has said that his roster is set in stone — which would indicate that Kohler will not be returning to Michigan State for another season.

It’ll be tough to see Kohler play for another school but it is also understood why Izzo wants to move forward with his current roster. It’s clear, though, whoever lands Kohler is getting a good one and will be much better off because of it.