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The two newest Spartans attempting to make their way into the NBA are Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler. Two names that still bring echoes of fans screaming and shaking the roof of the Breslin Center, but have now moved on to bigger and brighter lights—the lights of the NBA Summer League.
Cooper has already had a few defining moments during Summer League action, but Monday night it was finally Jaxon Kohler's turn to take the big stage as he faced his old teammate Cooper.
To no one's surprise, Kohler flourished in his debut, turning heads around the NBA and reminding everyone that he's ready to continue the dominance that Michigan State fans watched over the past several seasons.
It was always Kohler's passion that helped push him to the biggest stages. He possessed terrific size with a soft shooting touch, but it was his tenacity, aggression, and willingness to battle for every loose ball that caught Tom Izzo's attention at Michigan State. Those qualities are also why the Utah Jazz gave him an opportunity to continue developing and prove he belongs at the next level.
Kohler took his first Summer League game in stride, looking like he hadn't missed a beat from where he left off in East Lansing while immediately making an impact for his new team.
After not appearing in Utah's July 4 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, Kohler made his Summer League debut Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies and put together an impressive performance.
Kohler finished with 11 points while shooting 5-of-7 from the field and 1-of-2 from three-point range. Two of his baskets came courtesy of fellow rookie Darryn Peterson.
On one play, Kohler found himself near the top of the key before cutting toward the basket. Peterson recognized the opening immediately and delivered a perfect pass. Kohler gathered it in stride and finished with a smooth right-handed layup on the right side of the rim. It was great to see Kohler back on the basketball court looking comfortable in his first professional action.
Later in the game, Peterson had the ball in the corner, appearing ready to launch a three-pointer himself. Instead, he found a wide-open Kohler waiting beyond the arc. Kohler confidently rose up and knocked down the shot, showcasing his ability to stretch the floor with his patented "Kohler Bear" shooting form—elbows high and chest puffed out. It was a familiar sight for Spartan fans who watched him develop into a reliable perimeter threat during his time in East Lansing.
Kohler also contributed two assists of his own. While that number was overshadowed by Peterson's outstanding 12-assist performance, it showed another part of Kohler's all-around game and his willingness to move the basketball within Utah's offense.
One area of Kohler's game that Michigan State fans know better than anyone is his rebounding ability. Monday night, he pulled down an impressive seven rebounds, once again displaying the traits that Tom Izzo preached from the very beginning.
You may not be the best player on the floor in every category, but one thing that can always change basketball games and get you noticed is winning the battle in the paint and securing rebounds. That's exactly what Kohler did throughout his career as a Spartan, and it's exactly what he continued doing in his first Summer League appearance with Utah.
Overall, Kohler logged 23 minutes in Utah's second Summer League game, making the most of every opportunity he received. He looked confident offensively, active on the glass, and comfortable playing within the flow of the offense.
Kohler still has a tough hill to climb if he wants to earn a permanent spot with the Jazz, but this was about as encouraging of a start as he could have hoped for. If Monday night's performance is any indication, the "Kohler Bear" is ready to keep proving he belongs on basketball's biggest stage.
Continue reading...
Cooper has already had a few defining moments during Summer League action, but Monday night it was finally Jaxon Kohler's turn to take the big stage as he faced his old teammate Cooper.
To no one's surprise, Kohler flourished in his debut, turning heads around the NBA and reminding everyone that he's ready to continue the dominance that Michigan State fans watched over the past several seasons.
It was always Kohler's passion that helped push him to the biggest stages. He possessed terrific size with a soft shooting touch, but it was his tenacity, aggression, and willingness to battle for every loose ball that caught Tom Izzo's attention at Michigan State. Those qualities are also why the Utah Jazz gave him an opportunity to continue developing and prove he belongs at the next level.
Kohler took his first Summer League game in stride, looking like he hadn't missed a beat from where he left off in East Lansing while immediately making an impact for his new team.
After not appearing in Utah's July 4 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, Kohler made his Summer League debut Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies and put together an impressive performance.
Kohler finished with 11 points while shooting 5-of-7 from the field and 1-of-2 from three-point range. Two of his baskets came courtesy of fellow rookie Darryn Peterson.
On one play, Kohler found himself near the top of the key before cutting toward the basket. Peterson recognized the opening immediately and delivered a perfect pass. Kohler gathered it in stride and finished with a smooth right-handed layup on the right side of the rim. It was great to see Kohler back on the basketball court looking comfortable in his first professional action.
Later in the game, Peterson had the ball in the corner, appearing ready to launch a three-pointer himself. Instead, he found a wide-open Kohler waiting beyond the arc. Kohler confidently rose up and knocked down the shot, showcasing his ability to stretch the floor with his patented "Kohler Bear" shooting form—elbows high and chest puffed out. It was a familiar sight for Spartan fans who watched him develop into a reliable perimeter threat during his time in East Lansing.
Kohler also contributed two assists of his own. While that number was overshadowed by Peterson's outstanding 12-assist performance, it showed another part of Kohler's all-around game and his willingness to move the basketball within Utah's offense.
One area of Kohler's game that Michigan State fans know better than anyone is his rebounding ability. Monday night, he pulled down an impressive seven rebounds, once again displaying the traits that Tom Izzo preached from the very beginning.
You may not be the best player on the floor in every category, but one thing that can always change basketball games and get you noticed is winning the battle in the paint and securing rebounds. That's exactly what Kohler did throughout his career as a Spartan, and it's exactly what he continued doing in his first Summer League appearance with Utah.
Overall, Kohler logged 23 minutes in Utah's second Summer League game, making the most of every opportunity he received. He looked confident offensively, active on the glass, and comfortable playing within the flow of the offense.
Kohler still has a tough hill to climb if he wants to earn a permanent spot with the Jazz, but this was about as encouraging of a start as he could have hoped for. If Monday night's performance is any indication, the "Kohler Bear" is ready to keep proving he belongs on basketball's biggest stage.
Continue reading...
