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BUFFALO, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: Jaxon Kohler #0 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Sananda Fru #13 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 21, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mark Pope and Kentucky Basketball began pursuing Michigan State fifth-year transfer Jaxon Kohler on August 1, following the news of the class of 2022’s updated eligibility and fifth-year option.
When Jon Rothstein broke the news that Kentucky was, in fact, targeting Kohler, a couple of other schools were mentioned as contenders for the sought-after forward transfer. The schools mentioned on August 1 included Kentucky, BYU, and Kansas.
Now, on August 11, another familiar friend entered the mix: The Louisville Cardinals, according to Rothstein. Pat Kelsey and his staff have worked up enough money to enter the sweepstakes for the major last-minute pickup.
With the way Kelsey likes his teams to play, it was a no-brainer to reach out and talk to Kohler at least. Kohler would help bring the physicality Louisville is trying to build into this year’s roster. He is also a shot-maker and has developed a 3-point shot throughout his days in college, so with the run-and-gun offense that Kelsey loves, Kohler would fit right in.
Kohler shot 38.9% on just over four 3-point attempts per game in his final year at Michigan State under Tom Izzo. It makes a ton of sense for both teams in the Bluegrass to go after the prized August pickup, so that’s what we’ve got.
This recruitment battle will be added to the long list of battles that Pope and Kelsey have had over their two years at their respective programs. Add it to the names of Taylen Kinney, who neither won, Gabe Dynes, who Louisville won, and Milan Momcilovic, who Kentucky won.
So, in addition to Kentucky, Kohler is considering returning home to play for BYU, which would sting after the Rob Wright III chaos in the early portal days, a move to Kansas, which would hurt after the Tyran Stokes drama that felt like years, and a move to Louisville, Kentucky’s in-state rival.
Time will tell, but Pope and this staff have shown that Kohler is towards the top of the list of transfers they would like to pick up ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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