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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Jaxon Kohler #0 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to make a play during the first half of the college basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Breslin Center on January 08, 2026 in East Lansing, Michigan.
The Michigan State Spartans won the game 76-66.
(Photo by Aaron J.
Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images BYUs inability to get a big man through through nearly four months of the offseason could end up landing them of the top available bigs depending how court rulings go through.
BYUs big men search may finally be winding down.
Below are some things I am monitoring.
Jaxon Kohler and Potential of Graduated Four-Year Players Last month, the NCAA passed the five-in-five rule.
The new rule allows college athletes to have five years of eligibility and eliminates redshirts.
The NCAA did not grandfather in graduated seniors; i.e., four-year players who graduated this past season were not given a fifth year.
As expected, lawyers got involved and are challenging that ruling.
Just last week, an Ohio judge granted an injunction for 24 mens and womens college basketball players, allowing them to play next season and enter the transfer portal if they wish.
The NCAA said in a statement , The courts decision today is wrong, and we will immediately seek all avenues for reversal.
Friday, former Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler was one of the players named in a California filing seeking the same result as the Ohio case.
Jaxon Kohler is particularly relevant to BYU.
The American Fork, Utah native is LDS and was one of the best big men in the Big 10 last year.
Kohler spent all four seasons at Michigan State, going from bench player his first two seasons to starting 69 games his last two seasons for Tom Izzo.
Kohler went from a back-to-basket big man his first two year two a stretch big his last season.
As a senior, Kohler averaged 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and shot 39% from three and and 87% from the FT line.
Kohler was 0-5 combined his first two seasons from three, and as a senior shot 58-139.
Kohler has great footwork in the paint, can shoot the three ball, and is a great rebounder.
Listed at 6-foot-9, Kohler played the four often times in Izzos big lineup but is suited to better to play the five for many teams (like BYU).
One source familiar with the situation told me that Kohler and his agent are in touch with BYU and have a follow up meeting this weekend about the potential of him joining BYU.
Kohler has also spent time on BYU campus this summer, working out and playing pickup with the team.
Kohler could return to Michigan State or another team if he is able to play, but the Spartans are in a tricky spot.
Their roster is already full and they have several big men.
Kohler would certainly play, but MSU coaches would have to make late decisions on their roster, NIL, and then have the NCAA rule that graduated seniors dont count against the roster limit.
Kohler is currently playing for the Utah Jazz Summer League team.
Even if the California injunction gets granted and Kohler and others are ruled eligible, that isnt necessarily the end resolution.
The NCAA is fighting this ruling hard, and rulings could get reversed.
However, they could see a losing battle and just decide to give graduated players a fifth year to avoid additional legal fees.
Until that happens, BYU and other schools would have to decide if it is worth the risk to add a graduated fourth-year playing, knowing they may be temporarily eligible but could be ruled ineligible again if the NCAA gets their way.
If BYU did get Kohler, he would be a huge addition.
He would give BYU one of the best offensive big men in the Big 12 and someone who can score on the block, from three, and rebound.
Other fifth-year players would also be on the table for BYU.
While virtually every other Power Conference team has their starting center locked in, BYU could get an absolute gift and add a high-level starting center late in the summer.
David Okwera, Australia I reported July 8 that BYU has been pursuing Australian David Okwera for month now.
BYU has been waiting to see if he will clearance from the NCAA to play.
David is a 6-foot-10 Forward/Center who has spent the last five seasons in Australias National Basketball League (NBL).
Okwera is the type of big Kevin Young has been searching for.
BYU has been looking for a skilled big who can shoot the ball, put the ball on the floor, and make good decisions in the PNR.
One scout with whom I talked said that Okwera has a guard-like game in a forward/center body.
He can play in the Big 12/SEC.
Okwera runs the floor well and can finish around the rim, but he also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and shoot the three ball.
Okwera was a bench player for the Perth Wildcats this past season, averaging 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.6 minutes.
He shot 59% from the floor and 10-28 (36%) from three in 36 games.
One Australian source familiar with the situation told me that Okwera has been cleared to play by the NCAA.
If thats truly the case, BYU could announce Okweras signing any day.
There a couple other factors in play.
Okwera is still playing in the NBL1 league in Australia, so he could be waiting to finish out that season before announcing his commitment to a college.
BYU also could be waiting to see what happens with the fifth-year player rulings.
The last two points are speculation on my end on potential timing.
BYU has long been viewed the front runner for Okwera.
Regardless, it looks like BYUs big man search is nearing an end.
Whether BYU adds Okwera, Xin, or a fifth year player, BYU has options to land a couple bigs with its last three vacant roster spots.