Kentucky’s head coach Mark Pope has made it clear that the Wildcats need to add at least one more piece to their 2026‑27 roster, a move that could reshape the team’s interior.
The conversation gained traction after CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein reported that Kentucky is among the schools courting Jaxon Kohler, a former Michigan State forward who recently secured a fifth year of eligibility through a court decision.
A Competitive Market for a Fifth‑Year Forward
Kohler’s production last season was solid, as he averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while starting 35 contests for the Spartans, who advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament.
Beyond college, Kohler has already tasted professional exposure, logging 11 points, seven rebounds, a steal and a block in 22 minutes for the Utah Jazz Summer League, where he played alongside the No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson.
The forward is now weighing several options, including a return to Michigan State, a move to BYU, a commitment to Kansas, or a fresh start with Kentucky, a decision that could influence the Wildcats’ frontcourt dynamics.
Kentucky’s current frontcourt features Malachi Moreno, Ousmane N’diaye, Frank Kepnang, Milan Momcilovic and Reece Potter, so adding Kohler would provide an experienced, versatile option.