Jaxon Kohler Shuts Down Rumors, Remains a Spartan — But the Loyalty Narrative May Be Overstated
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN — In a college basketball landscape dominated by high-profile transfers, NIL deals, and shifting allegiances, Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler has become the subject of headlines that paint him as a rare symbol of loyalty. Viral social media posts and blog articles have claimed that the rising senior turned down several “lucrative offers” from rival programs—most notably USC—in order to remain at Michigan State and finish what he started under legendary head coach Tom Izzo.
But while Kohler is indeed staying put in East Lansing, the idea that he faced a dramatic decision between cashing in elsewhere and remaining loyal to MSU appears to be greatly exaggerated.
Kohler, a 6-foot-9 forward originally from Utah, committed to Michigan State as part of the class of 2022 and has been a consistent presence on the roster ever since. After an injury slowed the early part of his sophomore campaign, he emerged in 2024–25 as a key rotation piece for the Spartans. He averaged 7.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, showing marked improvement on both ends of the floor. His highlight performance came in a home game against Illinois, where he posted a career-best 23 points and 10 rebounds in a critical Big Ten victory.
Following the season, speculation began to circulate—mostly on social media—that Kohler had received transfer interest, particularly from programs on the West Coast. Some posts even claimed he was offered as much as $6.5 million in NIL money to join USC. However, no credible media outlet or official university source has confirmed any such offers. Kohler himself has not addressed these rumors publicly, nor has his family or coaching staff.
The loyalty narrative likely gained traction due to the emotional appeal of a veteran player choosing to stay in a familiar program. With teammates like Xavier Booker entering the transfer portal and ultimately committing to UCLA, Kohler’s continued presence at MSU felt like a win for Spartan fans hungry for stability. In today’s college basketball environment, where nearly 2,000 players entered the transfer portal in 2025 alone, the simple act of not transferring can easily be mistaken for an extraordinary act of commitment.
To be fair, Kohler has been vocal in the past about his love for Michigan State and his respect for Izzo. “Coach Izzo believed in me when I was still figuring it all out,” Kohler said after his breakout performance last season. “I owe a lot to this place.” That level of appreciation shouldn’t be minimized—but it also doesn’t mean he turned down massive offers behind the scenes.
As he enters his senior season, Kohler is expected to play a major role for the Spartans, especially in a frontcourt that has lost several pieces. His ability to stretch the floor, rebound effectively, and defend multiple positions gives Michigan State a steady presence as they aim for another deep NCAA Tournament run.
In the end, Jaxon Kohler’s decision to stay isn’t a dramatic tale of rejecting millions—but it is a solid example of a player growing, improving, and believing in the program he chose. And in today’s climate, that’s more than enough reason to celebrate.