Kentucky & Louisville Vie for Transfer Star

Mark Pope and Kentucky Basketball initiated their pursuit of Michigan State's fifth-year transfer, Jaxon Kohler, on August 1st. This move followed updates regarding the eligibility of the class of 2022 and the availability of a fifth-year option. Initially, BYU and Kansas were identified as key competitors for the highly sought-after forward.

Just ten days later, on August 11th, Jon Rothstein reported that the Louisville Cardinals, under coach Pat Kelsey, had also entered the sweepstakes. Kelsey's program has reportedly found the necessary financial flexibility to pursue Kohler, recognizing his potential to bolster the team's physicality and offensive capabilities.

Kohler's skillset aligns well with Louisville's preferred style of play. He demonstrated an ability to stretch the floor, shooting 38.9% from three-point range on over four attempts per game during his final season with Michigan State. This makes him a valuable target for both Kentucky and Louisville.

The recruitment of Jaxon Kohler adds another intense chapter to the long-standing rivalry between Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey. Previous recruiting battles between the two coaches include instances where Kentucky secured players like Milan Momcilovic, while Louisville won the recruitment of Gabe Dynes. The outcome of this latest pursuit remains to be seen, with Kohler also considering returning home to BYU, moving to Kansas, or joining the Cardinals.