Former Michigan State standout Jaxon Kohler has committed to BYU for his fifth season, his agent, Adam Godes, told ESPN on Thursday.
Kohler, an all-Big Ten honorable mention last season, was cleared to play for a fifth year after he and other plaintiffs in a California case were given a temporary restraining order in their eligibility case. A former Michigan State transfer, Kohler was not selected in the 2026 NBA draft after averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds last season. He also made 39% of his 3-point attempts.
Kohler signed an Exhibit 10 contract and played for the Utah Jazz in summer league. The TRO allows Kohler and other plaintiffs to play a fifth year of college basketball -- one of many cases challenging the NCAA's eligibility rules -- despite signing professional contracts. The NCAA could appeal that ruling. But the pending outcome of a federal case in Colorado could clear the way for every player who started in the 2022-23 season to compete in 2026-27.
But SEC commissioner Greg Sankey filed a motion in a Louisiana court, asking a judge to "uphold" NCAA rules as former St. John's star RJ Luis Jr., who signed a two-way contract in the NBA, pursues legal channels to gain eligibility to compete for LSU this season. A group of players who have been in training camp with NFL teams successfully petitioned a Louisiana court for a temporary injunction this week to return to college.
If Kohler is allowed to play, he'll give BYU an immediate boost after the team lost No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa to the NBA. Kohler, Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler, veteran Rob Wright III and five-star forward Bruce Branch III would form an imposing nucleus for Kevin Young's squad.
