Folks, Jaxon Kohler’s college basketball career may not be over after all.
For months, it was just assumed that he was ready to move on and chase his NBA dreams, but after a recent injunction filed on behalf of some 2022 class players in the state of California, it looks like the former Michigan State big man could have another year of college hoops ahead of him.
If he were to take advantage of a positive ruling, that is.
According to Justin Thind of 247Sports, Kohler’s name appeared on the filing out of the state of California. He joins a list of several fifth-year guys who could take advantage of the NCAA’s new “five in five” ruling which allows student athletes five years of eligibility or five years to finish their college careers after their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
While Kohler hasn’t publicly expressed interest in returning like Carson Cooper did a couple of months back, this could be something to entertain if he feels like another year would improve his NBA stock.
The real question is, where would he end up if he did take advantage of ruling in his favor? Michigan State fans would obviously welcome him back with open arms, but given the roster construction, he would have to fight for minutes at the four with guys like Kaleb Glenn, Cam Ward, Coen Carr, and Julius Avent — and Jesse McCulloch if he split time there, too.
If he wanted to return, however, I do think that Izzo would make room for him. It might lead to a much smaller role for a guy like Avent, but I don’t think he’s expecting a major role anyways. It would also likely lead to Carr and Glenn playing more minutes at the three.
That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. But I also wouldn’t be shocked if he decided to ditch a potential G-League season for a fifth year somewhere closer to home at BYU.
What would MSU’s potential rotation look like with Jaxon Kohler back?
This is all speculation and I am one of many who believe that he would end up somewhere closer to home for a fifth and final year just based on what his NIL price tag would be and the roster spots available in East Lansing.
But if the courts did rule him eligible and he did get a fifth year, choosing to come back to Michigan State, I think the rotation would look something like this:
PG: Jeremy Fears/Carlos Medlock/Jasiah Jervis
SG: Jordan Scott/Jervis/Kur Teng
SF: Coen Carr/Kaleb Glenn/Scott
PF: Jaxon Kohler/Cam Ward/Glenn/Julius Avent
C: Anton Bonke/Jesse McCulloch/Ethan Taylor
The depth would be out of this world and the experience would arguably set Michigan State apart from the rest of the Big Ten. The frontcourt would go from unproven to the deepest and most talented it’s been in years.
Again, I don’t think this is the most likely move for Kohler, but I do think there’s a non-zero chance he takes advantage of a potential ruling in his favor and returns to college for one final run.
I speak for Spartans everywhere when I say that I wouldn’t mind that final run happening at MSU.
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