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In a significant development for college basketball, a federal judge in Colorado issued a class-wide preliminary injunction on Friday that requires the NCAA to grant eligibility to all high school class of 2022 athletes. This ruling effectively restores a year of eligibility for four-year players across all sports, creating a sudden influx of experienced talent available for the upcoming season. While the NCAA is expected to appeal, recent court decisions have not favored the organization, prompting many programs to aggressively pursue these newly eligible players.
For BYU, this ruling could be a game-changer. The Cougars have two open roster spots and are in dire need of a starting-caliber big man. Among the most attractive options is Jaxon Kohler, a 6-foot-10 forward who spent four years at Michigan State. Kohler, a native of American Fork, Utah, and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has strong ties to the area and has drawn interest from BYU. Sources indicate that head coach Kevin Young held a Zoom call with Kohler on Thursday, which went well and left a positive impression.
Kohler's senior season statistics are impressive: he averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 39% from three-point range and 87% from the free-throw line. He recorded 12 double-doubles and ranked in the top five of the Big Ten in offensive and defensive rebounding percentage. His performance against Michigan, the eventual national champion, was particularly notable, as he scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting. If Kohler were to join BYU, he would likely play the center position and could elevate the Cougars from a fringe top-25 team to a top-15 contender.
However, BYU faces stiff competition for Kohler. Kansas and Kentucky are both pursuing him, with Kansas coach Bill Self making a strong push. The financial aspect is also a concern, as BYU has largely exhausted its revenue-sharing budget and is cautious about large NIL deals. While Kohler may not require the highest bid, a significant gap in offers could hurt BYU's chances.
Another option for BYU is Keba Keita, a familiar face who played for the Cougars last season. As a class of 2022 player, Keita would also be eligible under the new ruling. He would be a cheaper alternative to Kohler and would provide continuity as a third-year starter. However, Keita has not yet indicated whether he intends to return to college basketball, and adding both Keita and Kohler seems unlikely.
Beyond these two, several other big men are now available, including Shawn Phillips, Duke Brennan, Micah Handlogten, Robbie Avila, and Cameron Fens. With an increased supply of players, BYU may find a quality big man at a more affordable price than earlier in the offseason.
In other news, BYU's pursuit of Australian forward David Okwera appears to have stalled, as sources report he is unlikely to receive NCAA clearance. Additionally, Chinese prospect Xu Xin may fall down BYU's priority list given the sudden availability of experienced bigs.
Key Analysis
The court ruling has created a unique opportunity for BYU to address its most pressing need without having to compete in the traditional transfer portal market. The Cougars have a strong pitch for Kohler, including his local roots, a defined role, and a system that could showcase his versatile skills. However, the financial constraints and competition from powerhouse programs like Kansas and Kentucky make this a challenging pursuit. If BYU can secure a player of Kohler's caliber, it would significantly boost their chances in the Big 12. Otherwise, they may need to pivot to other available bigs or rely on internal development to fill the void.
Originally reported by yahoo.