Kansas Eyes Transfer Portal Boost with BYU’s Jaxon Kohler as Keita’s Future Hangs in Balance
Kansas basketball is scouting the transfer portal for a frontcourt upgrade, and the name most frequently whispered in the hallways of the university is Jaxon Kohler. A Utah native who spent two seasons at Michigan State before a stint in the NBA Summer League with the Utah Jazz, Kohler brings size, rebounding grit and a proven track record that aligns with the Jayhawks’ need for depth. His potential landing spot, however, is not set in stone; BYU has emerged as the frontrunner, a development that intensifies the ripple effect on the Cougars’ own roster. Enter Keba Keita, the Malian forward who has already entered the portal after two seasons at BYU in which he started every game, averaged more than seven rebounds and shot above 67% from the field, and posted a career‑high 1.8 blocks per game. Keita’s defensive skill set could be a boon for Kansas, but his arrival would also crowd a frontcourt already strained by injury; Paul Mbiya is slated to return as a reserve, while Christian Reeves’ shoulder surgery has delayed his debut. Adding to the mix, Mihailo Mušikić, a committed Jayhawks big man, is currently ineligible, leaving the coaching staff to weigh the merits of Keita, Mbiya and Reeves for the limited minutes available. Coach Bill Self has hinted that the competition for the center spot will be decided on merit, meaning the best performer among the three will earn the role, a scenario that could reshape the team’s interior dynamics. If Kohler ultimately commits to BYU, the Cougars could see a reshuffling that might jeopardize Keita’s return to Provo, a twist that underscores how transfer portal moves are increasingly intertwined across programs.
