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Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) celebrates a basket against UConn during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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American Fork junior center Jaxon Kohler shoots a 3-pointer during the 6A semifinal game against Westlake at Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville on Thursday, March 4, 2021.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork forward Jaxon Kohler (0) cheers after one of his teammates successfully drew a charge during a game between the American Fork Cavemen and the Pleasant Grove Vikings held at American Fork High School on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. Isaac Hale, Special to the Daily Herald

Isaac Hale Special to the Daily Herald

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American Fork junior center Jaxon Kohler looks to attack during the 6A semifinal game against Westlake at Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville on Thursday, March 4, 2021.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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As head basketball coach at American Fork High School, Ryan Cuff has the keys to all the facilities.

Jaxon Kohler, who committed to BYU Thursday night after four seasons at Michigan State, played only one year for Cuff but took full advantage of the keys.

“I probably opened the gym and the weight room for Jaxon more than anyone other than my own sons,” Cuff said. “He always had incredible footwork, far beyond his years. He had a great willingness to do things repetitively, get into the gym and build on those strengths.

“He’s a good kid and he’s coachable. He had a great junior year for us. We wish we had him another year, but it was a joy to coach him and I’m really happy for him.”

The task of getting Jaxon Kohler to commit to the BYU men’s basketball program is complete.

Whether or not Kohler actually ever plays for BYU is another question altogether.

After months of near misses and rejections, the Cougars have their center: The former American Fork and Michigan State big man has committed to BYU, ending a fierce battle between Young and former BYU coach Mark Pope at Kentucky.

“The deciding factor with BYU was the NBA coaches, staff and experience,” Kohler told ‘Scotty G and the Coach’ on 97.5 the Zone on Friday. “They also had a perfect opening for a big man, so I felt like it was kind of meant to be. BYU plays a lot of NBA offense, and that was something I was looking for. Going on to the next level, I want to make sure I can fit into an NBA offense style of play. Being home is a big part of it, but the basketball fit was the best of any place.”

Kohler was seemingly finished with his college career at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season but the NCAA’s “5 in 5” ruling — going forward, athletes have five years to complete five years of eligibility — launched a flurry of lawsuits and injunctions that, for now, gives players such as Kohler a fifth year.

Playing in his home state in front of family and friends was something the Cougars sold to Kohler and his family, as well as the opportunity to play a lot of minutes on what is expected to be a good team. According to reports, BYU did not offer the highest NIL package among Kohler’s suitors.

Kohler was much-traveled in his high school career, spending time at Wasatch Academy and Coronado High School (in Nevada) before transferring to American Fork as a junior. In 2020-21, Kohler averaged 21.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for Ryan Cuff and the Cavemen, earning 6A Player of the Year honors and later committed to Michigan State. He then transferred to Southern California Academy for his senior season.

In East Lansing, Kohler earned a reputation as a skilled and high IQ player but continued developing his game. As a senior in 2025-26, Kohler set career highs in minutes (27.8), 3-point field goal percentage (.389, 58-149), free throw percentage (.869), rebounds (8.9) and points (12.5) in becoming one of the Big Ten’s most improved players.

Kohler is the first BYU athlete to suit up for an NBA team — the Utah Jazz in the Summer League — previous to joining the Cougars.

He likely won’t be the last.

BYU lost starting center Keba Keita to graduation and backup Abdullah Ahmed transferred to UMass, making post players a priority in recruiting through high school and transfer portal channels. According to sources, the Cougars contacted more than 20 post players without success in bringing any of them to Provo until last month when 6-9 Jakub Urbaniak from Poland committed.

The addition of Kohler, who would have been one of the top centers in the portal back in January, turns cautious optimism into big dreams for BYU fans.

The roster has definitely been a work in program during the offseason. Freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa was selected No. 1 in June’s NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards and senior Richie Saunders was tabbed early in the second round by the Indiana Pacers. Guard Robert Wright III entered the portal but eventually chose to return to Provo.

With eight players from the 2025-26 roster leaving through the portal, Young went to work and added Kentucky’s Collin Chandler, Tyler Betsey from Syracuse and Jake Wahlin from Clemson along with one of the top high school recruits in Bruce Branch III.

Kohler would be a huge piece to the puzzle for the Cougars but with the NCAA fighting every injunction on record with their army of lawyers and sympathetic judges, his eligibility for the 2026-27 season is still up in the air.