Michigan State fans’ ears perked up a bit last weeks when Justin Thind of 247Sports reported that Jaxon Kohler was named in an injunction with other players seeking a potential fifth year of college basketball.
It came at an interesting time because Kohler was already partaking in the NBA Summer League and had even faced former teammate Carson Cooper. Yet he was apparently willing to hear out some NCAA teams who could put together a decent NIL deal and return to college for a fifth year if this injunction is granted.
Fans were hoping that maybe he would return to Michigan State even though there’s really not a spot for him. In their eyes, Izzo would find room for him.
Unfortunately for those hopeful fans who were even considering a Kohler return to East Lansing for one final season, I’ve got some bad news: he’s “likely” headed to the Big 12 if he does come back.
According to a recent report from BYU Cougars wire, Kohler is in “heavy contact with BYU” and is “likely” to transfer there if he’s granted a fifth year.
𝗡𝗘𝗪: Michigan State captain Jaxon Kohler is in heavy contact with BYU and likely to transfer there if his injunction for a 5th year is granted, per BYU Cougars Wire.
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) July 21, 2026
Kohler has been spotted playing pickup with BYU this offseason and recently finished playing in Summer League… pic.twitter.com/265FuJenJQ
This is an incredibly unsurprising development considering Kohler is from Utah and that’s where he was playing in the Summer League. It would make sense that he’s been spending time close to the BYU program and the Cougars would be wise to reach out.
Getting a fifth-year player with plenty of NCAA Tournament experience who was a captain for a team that made the Sweet 16 and went 27-8 out of the Big Ten would be huge for BYU’s Big 12 title chase.
I think both sides benefit from this, especially since BYU has plenty of NIL money to go around.
Jaxon Kohler will always be remembered as a Spartan
I’m just going to assume this is the most likely scenario if he does get a fifth year just based on the fact that the rumors are already swirling and he would want to stay home for his last season of college basketball and get a life-changing NIL deal in the process.
It’ll be weird to see him in BYU colors, though. It’ll take some time to adjust to.
Kohler was the ultimate Spartan, playing four years under Izzo without complaining about his role and embracing anything that was thrown his way. He was an OKG (our kind of guy) and played with a toughness that had been missing since Xavier Tillman patrolled the paint. He got better each season and didn’t let a foot injury during his sophomore year hold him back.
Although he never quite lived up to the “Baby Jokic” nickname, he did show flashes and got better as an all-around player during his senior year. He’ll be missed in East Lansing and everyone will be rooting for him.
I can already see it now: Michigan State and BYU meet in the Elite Eight (because of course they’ll be in the same region) with a Final Four berth on the line and Izzo has to try and beat his former starting power forward.
The selection committee loves their storylines.
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