Ever since the court ruling in Colorado deeming 2022 high school graduates who used their final year of college eligibility this past college basketball season eligible, it has been quite hectic. Coach Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have been after a few different players to add as the 15th member of the Kentucky roster.
Of late, there are two names that the Wildcats have been associated with, and they are former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler and former Missouri forward Mark Mitchell. Well, now, according to Joe Tipton of On3, the Wildcats are losing ground with Kohler as BYU has taken over as the leader. Now this means that if the staff is going to have to go all in on Mitchell if they want to add an elite forward to the 2026-27 roster.
A frontrunner has emerged for Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler as he pursues a fifth year of eligibility, sources tell @PeteNakos and me for @On3. Intel: https://t.co/qnMXmr0PsWpic.twitter.com/n0a6nCynsK
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) August 12, 2026
When it comes to the fit in Lexington between either Kohler or Mitchell, I do believe that it was close. Kohler is a much better rebounder than Mitchell, and that is one area that Kentucky is in need of some help. Kohler is also a better three-point shooter, but Mitchell is the better overall offensive player…