What Jaxon Kohler said about transferring to BYU

Jaxon Kohler announced he would be heading back to the Beehive State to play for the BYU Cougars this week.

Many thought the American Fork, Utah native was leaving Michigan State to pursue his fifth year of eligibility and be closer to home. While it's nice to be back near where his journey started, he's going to BYU because it's the best fit.

"I chose BYU for a number of reasons," Kohler told BYU insider Robby McCombs. "I feel like what I was looking for in a basketball situation was exactly what coach Young was looking for in a player situation. His style of play and the way I wanted to fit will showcase so much more of me as a player."

Kohler, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, took that part out of the equation when making a decision. It's an added benefit but not to his basketball journey. BYU needed a big man in the worst way to fill the need left by losing Keba Keita. They looked far and wide before landing Kohler, who is one of the players benefiting from the extra year of eligibility.

The 6-foot-10, 245-pound hybrid center had perfect timing by joining the program when he did. What once was a frustrating search to find a big man now becomes the silver lining to the offseason story for Young and the Cougars.

Jakub Urbaniak from Poland will be a project for BYU and will add depth in the frontcourt. But adding a starting center with four years of experience at the Power Four level can't be skipped over. Urbaniak plays similar to NBA legend Shawn Kemp, who made a name for being a physical defender while racking up points in the paint in the 90s. You see the same intensity on game film, and should be a great role player in Provo.

BYU got a great pickup with Kohler coming back to college. The former summer league player with the Utah Jazz will be coming into a situation where he's a valuable piece in the equation for Young and his staff. BYU was already a contender in the Big 12 and Kohler was the latest win in the transfer portal. Make no mistake about it. He could've gone anywhere and been an immediate contributor, but BYU was the best move for his NBA future.

The Cougars beat out Louisville and Kentucky to land Kohler. During the four seasons under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, he developed into a solid player. Last year, Kohler averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

Kohler is one of the best players the Cougars have added this offseason. He's able to play on both ends of the floor as a scorer and defender. BYU still has a roster spot open. And it will be interesting to see how they fill it.

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