Jaxon Kohler wasted no time making his presence felt in his NBA Summer League debut.
The former Michigan State big man took the floor Monday night for the Utah Jazz against Carson Cooper and the Memphis Grizzlies, giving Spartan fans a fresh look at a matchup they know well. Cooper was making his second Summer League appearance, and he was solid again. Kohler, who did not play in Utah’s first game over the weekend, stepped in and turned in a strong showing.
He finished with 11 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes, going 5-for-7 from the field and 1-for-2 from three. He also added two assists and was on the receiving end of a pair of Darryn Peterson passes in a game where the Jazz lottery pick finished with five assists. Kohler was second on the team in rebounds and logged the third-most minutes, a clear sign he was right in the middle of things from the start.
Both former Spartans were in the starting lineup Monday, and Kohler’s chemistry with Peterson jumped out quickly. One highlight sequence showed Peterson finding Kohler for a cutting layup, then again for a hook shot, before connecting on a full-court pass that led to a Kohler fastbreak layup as Cameron Boozer was called for goaltending.
That last play looked especially familiar for anyone who watched Kohler at Michigan State. He leaked out, got behind the defense, and finished with ease after a made basket, doing exactly the kind of thing that made him such a useful player in East Lansing.
That’s the part of Kohler’s game that keeps showing up: the rebounding, the confidence, and the knack for making the right play at the right time. Those traits helped him become a fan favorite at Michigan State, where he went from buried on the frontcourt depth chart early in his career to breaking out as a junior after a sophomore-year injury slowed him down. He then took another step as a senior this past season and played well alongside Cooper.
Now the two are on opposite sides in Summer League, but Kohler’s style hasn’t changed. He may not be the best athlete on the floor, and that won’t be changing at the NBA level, but he compensates with feel, timing, and a sharp basketball mind.
Jazz fans are already getting a taste of why he carried the “Baby Jokic” nickname out of high school. He passes well, finishes softly around the rim, and moves with a deliberate pace that can throw defenses off. And while that comparison goes only so far, Kohler’s debut showed enough to suggest he could eventually find a real role on an NBA roster.
For now, it was a promising first step. Kohler is on an Exhibit 10 contract, so nothing is guaranteed, but his hustle and IQ were on full display Monday night. That’s the kind of start that gets noticed.
In Other News...
This New Spartans Back Could Change A Frustrating Offensive Problem
Michigan State spent the offseason trying to reshape its running back room, and Marvis Parrish is one of three transfers brought in to help. The Western Kentucky transfer arrives as a true sophomore with four years of eligibility left, and his freshman season offered a glimpse of why the Spartans were interested: he showed he can contribute as both a runner and a receiver, giving the offense a different kind of backfield option.
For a team looking to smooth out a frustrating offensive issue, Parrishs value may come less from pounding between the tackles and more from what he can do in space. He appears to fit best as a pass-game weapon, while other backs on the roster are better suited for the bruising work near the goal line and in short-yardage spots. That split could make him an important piece in Michigan States offense even if his role is not the most obvious one on the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Is Already Eyeing The Next Big Point Guard Shift
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The timing makes sense with the way the roster is lining up, and it also shows how aggressively Michigan State is trying to stay ahead of the curve in recruiting. Point guard succession plans are rarely simple, especially for a program that wants to keep competing at a high level, so adding multiple options early gives the staff some flexibility while the bigger picture around the position continues to develop. [Read more 🡒]
Carson Cooper Is Forcing A Real NBA Conversation Early
Michigan States Summer League pair has already turned into a useful snapshot of where both big men stand, and Carson Cooper has been the one making the louder early case. After signing a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, Cooper has backed it up with strong play in his first two games, while Jaxon Kohler made his Utah Jazz debut by putting up 11 points and seven rebounds in a win over Memphis. For Spartans fans, it is a familiar kind of summer update: two former teammates on different paths, both getting a real look against NBA competition.
Coopers start has been especially notable because it has moved beyond simple summer intrigue and into actual roster conversation. Through two games, he is averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, and the way he has looked has Memphis fans buzzing about whether he can keep forcing his way into the picture. The two-way deal already gave him a foothold, but the bigger question now is whether his play can keep building into something more permanent as the Grizzlies sort through their frontcourt options. [Read more 🡒]