Kentucky’s search for the final piece of its roster may be shifting again, with Michigan State transfer forward Jaxon Kohler now appearing likely to land at BYU.
That update came Wednesday from Joe Tipton and Pete Nakos of On3, who reported that BYU is the frontrunner for Kohler. For Kentucky, that would mean turning its attention elsewhere as it tries to fill the 15th and final spot.
Kohler, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound forward, spent all four seasons of his college career with the Spartans and is now pursuing a fifth year. He put together a productive season, averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while knocking down 38.9% of his 3-point attempts on 4.3 tries a night.
Even if Kohler is off the board, Kentucky still has multiple paths to explore. The Wildcats are also evaluating Minnesota transfer Cade Tyson, Missouri transfer Mark Mitchell, and Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall, with Mitchell seeming to sit at the top of the list.
Mitchell brings a strong résumé from Missouri. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward just wrapped up his senior season averaging 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He also shot 54.7% from the floor and 38.8% from deep on 1.5 attempts per game.
He also gave Kentucky a firsthand look at why he’s such an appealing target. In Missouri’s 73-68 upset at Rupp Arena, Mitchell scored 21 points, added four assists and grabbed one rebound while going 7-for-15 from the field.
Kentucky later got the better of Missouri in the SEC Tournament, but Mitchell still made his presence felt. He finished with 32 points, seven rebounds and one assist, hitting 13 of 21 shots and both of his 3-point attempts.
None of these options are officially locked into a fifth year of eligibility yet, but that possibility is becoming more likely. If it holds, Kentucky should have several legitimate choices as it continues working to complete its roster.
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If the case gains traction in Kentucky, the practical effects could reach beyond a simple ruling on playing time and into whether Mitchell can function normally with schools during the process, including communicating with coaches. For a program that is always scanning for experienced scoring help, that kind of legal uncertainty is exactly the sort of thing that can suddenly open a new lane. [Read more 🡒]
Kentuckys Last Roster Spot Suddenly Hinges On An SEC Veteran
The final months of roster-building can turn on unexpected legal twists, and Kentuckys picture may be no different. Missouri forward Mark Mitchell has filed a lawsuit in Louisville that seeks to clear a path for him to enter the NCAA transfer portal ahead of a possible fifth year of college basketball, a move that could matter well beyond his own situation as programs continue chasing late roster flexibility.
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Dominika Paurovs road to Kentucky has already been defined by patience, rehab and a lot of work done away from the spotlight. After missing both her sophomore and redshirt sophomore seasons because of consecutive ACL tears, she is finally preparing to make her debut for the Wildcats, a return that carries a different kind of weight than a typical first impression.
Paurov has talked openly about how hard the recovery was physically and emotionally, and she has made clear how much the support of Kentuckys team and staff helped her get through it. Now, with a chance to join the lineup at last, she is looking forward to contributing in the upcoming season and giving the Wildcats a comeback story that feels just as meaningful as any stat line. [Read more 🡒]