Jaxon Kohler’s college career might not be done just yet.
For a while, the expectation was simple: the former Michigan State big man would move on and start chasing his NBA path. But a recent injunction filed on behalf of some 2022 class players in California has opened a door that looked shut, and Kohler’s name is now in the mix for another season of college basketball.
According to Justin Thind of 247Sports, Kohler was listed on the filing out of California. That puts him among a group of potential fifth-year players who could benefit from the NCAA’s new “five in five” ruling, which gives student athletes five years of eligibility or five years to finish their college careers after their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
Kohler has not publicly said he wants to come back the way Carson Cooper did a couple of months ago, but the possibility is there if he decides one more year could help his NBA stock.
If he did return, the next question is obvious: where would he play? Michigan State would welcome him back, no question, but the roster would make that decision complicated. He’d be battling for minutes at the four with Kaleb Glenn, Cam Ward, Coen Carr, and Julius Avent, with Jesse McCulloch also in the mix if he splits time there.
Still, if Kohler wanted to come back, there’s a strong sense that Tom Izzo would find a way to fit him in. That could squeeze Avent into a smaller role, though that may not be a major issue. It would also likely push Carr and Glenn into more time at the three.
That wouldn’t be a bad outcome for the Spartans. But it also wouldn’t be surprising if Kohler chose a different path, maybe passing on a possible G-League year for a fifth season somewhere closer to home at BYU.
The whole thing is still speculation, and the sense here is that a return closer to home would be the more likely move, especially when you factor in what his NIL price tag might look like and how many roster spots are available in East Lansing.
But if the courts do rule him eligible and Kohler decides to come back to Michigan State, the rotation could take shape 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
That kind of depth would be hard to ignore. The experience alone would separate Michigan State from a lot of the Big Ten, and the frontcourt would suddenly go from uncertain to one of the deepest and most talented groups the program has had in years.
It still doesn’t feel like the most likely outcome. But there’s a non-zero chance Kohler takes advantage of a ruling in his favor and gives college basketball one more year.
And if that final run happens in East Lansing, Spartans fans would be more than happy to see it.
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