Kansas Emerges as Contender for Former Michigan State Forward Jaxon Kohler
Kansas could have another opportunity to strengthen its frontcourt as the NCAA’s recent eligibility ruling continues to reshape the college basketball landscape.
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According to CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler is exploring a fifth season of college basketball and is considering Kansas, BYU and a return to the Spartans if he enters the transfer portal.
The development comes just days after a federal judge granted an injunction allowing many athletes from the high school class of 2022 to compete during the 2026-27 season, opening the door for players like Kohler to pursue another year of eligibility.
For Kansas, the timing is notable. The Jayhawks are already awaiting NCAA eligibility decisions involving Serbian center Mihailo Mušikić and former guard Melvin Council Jr., while center Christian Reeves continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery.
Adding Kohler would provide Bill Self with another experienced frontcourt option as Kansas looks to solidify its rotation before the season begins.
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Kohler is coming off the best season of his college career at Michigan State, averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 50.0% from the field, 38.9% from three-point range and 86.9% from the free-throw line. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward developed into one of the Big Ten’s most versatile big men, combining interior scoring with the ability to stretch the floor.
After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, Kohler signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Utah Jazz and appeared in NBA Summer League before reportedly exploring a return to college basketball.
Kansas has already assembled a largely new-look roster through high school recruiting and the transfer portal, but questions remain in the frontcourt. Paul Mbiya is expected to play a significant role, while Reeves’ availability and Mušikić’s eligibility remain unresolved.
If Kohler becomes available, he would immediately become one of the top remaining players on the market and could provide the Jayhawks with proven production, experience and floor spacing at a position of need.
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While Michigan State and BYU remain strong contenders, Kansas’ reported interest suggests Self is continuing to monitor opportunities to add another veteran piece before the 2026-27 season.
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