Kansas is still hunting for help in the middle, and Jaxon Kohler’s next move could end up shaping that search.
Kohler was one of the first names tied to the Jayhawks when the NCAA’s injunction giving Class of 2022 athletes another year of eligibility went into effect. The former Michigan State big man looked like a clean answer to KU’s frontcourt problems.
Lately, though, the buzz has shifted toward BYU, where many insiders now see the Cougars as the favorite. That track makes sense: Kohler is a Utah native and spent a brief stint in the NBA Summer League with the Jazz.
And that’s where things get interesting for Kansas. One of BYU’s own centers, Mali native Keba Keita, entered the transfer portal yesterday, and his situation could be affected if Kohler lands in Provo.
“NEWS: BYU center Keba Keita plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source told @On3. The 6-8 senior has not closed the door on a possible return to Provo. Keita is represented by Keith Kreiter of EDGE Sports.https://t.co/M6GlVAKqFM https://t.co/7MUM87HzsA pic.twitter.com/zOCKylum4x”
Keita has been as steady as they come for the Cougars. Since arriving from Utah, he played in 68 of 71 possible games and started every one.
Over his two seasons in Provo, he averaged better than seven rebounds a night and shot north of 67% from the floor. At 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, he doesn’t fit the classic center mold, but he makes up for it with nonstop effort, shot-blocking, and the kind of work around the rim that creates extra possessions.
This past season, Keita posted a career-best 1.8 blocks per game while averaging just 22.6 minutes. Stamina has long been a challenge, but when he’s out there, he plays with real urgency.
That profile is part of why he could matter to Kansas now. The Jayhawks have spent the offseason trying to stabilize the front line.
Paul Mbiya is back after a freshman season in reserve minutes, and Charleston transfer Christian Reeves was brought in to start at the five. But Reeves had shoulder surgery this offseason to fix a torn labrum, and his status for next season is up in the air.
Kansas also has Mihailo Mušikić in the mix, though he still hasn’t been ruled eligible after signing last month. Even then, it’s hard to see the NCAA clearing him, given that he is already 24 years old.
Keita isn’t the flashy answer, but he checks a lot of useful boxes. Strong screens.
Reliable defense in the paint. A physical presence that could fit alongside the rest of the roster.
If Kansas is looking for a real center battle, letting Keita, Mbiya and Reeves fight it out for minutes might be the cleanest path forward.
In Other News...
Kansas May Have Found A Key O-Line Answer In Fall Camp
Kansas entered fall camp with a reshaped offensive line after moving on from Bryce Foster, Enrique Cruz and Kobe Baynes, and the early picture points to a new group trying to settle in quickly. The projected starters include Calvin Clements, Amir Herring, Kasen Carpenter, Connor Stroh and Nick Morrow, giving the Jayhawks a fresh look up front as they sort through one of the most important units on the roster.
One of the most encouraging developments has been the rise of DeAndre Harper, whose work in camp has drawn praise from Lance Leipold. The redshirt sophomore has shown enough growth to put himself into the conversation for a bigger role, and his versatility could make him difficult to keep off the field if that progress continues. For a line still finding its shape, that kind of flexibility gives Kansas another possible answer just when it needs one. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Suddenly Has A New 2027 Wing To Watch
Kansas is already looking ahead to its 2027 class, and a new international name has surfaced on the radar. The Jayhawks are reportedly hosting a promising German wing on a recruiting visit, a sign that Bill Self and his staff are continuing to cast a wide net as they map out the roster beyond the current cycle. With no official comment yet from Kansas, the intrigue is in the fit, especially for a program that has long valued wings who can adapt quickly to the college game.
The player in question has experience in the Real Madrid U21 Liga, which only adds to the appeal for a Kansas staff that has shown it is willing to evaluate talent with a broad developmental track. For the Jayhawks, the bigger picture is how this piece might fit into future roster planning, particularly if the staff decides it needs another long-term answer on the perimeter. Right now, the visit is the first step, but it is the kind of move that can quietly reshape a class if things keep moving in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]