Kansas Could Be In Recruiting Battle With Familiar Foe for Jaxon Kohler

Everyone remembers when Louisville pulled out the big guns to acquire Flory Bidunga from Kansas in the transfer portal. The Jayhawks didn't want to lose their two-year center, but it was hard to justify matching the Cardinals' supposed NIL offer of north of $5 million for the upcoming campaign.

There is now some bad blood between the two programs, which should be on display when Louisville comes to Allen Fieldhouse for a preseason exhibition two months from now. However, Pat Kelsey's frontcourt could feature another player KU was looking to add through the portal.

According to CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein, Louisville is the newest school to emerge as a potential suitor for Jaxon Kohler. Kansas, BYU, Kentucky, and potentially a return to Michigan State were Kohler's only listed options at first, but he is now taking an extended look at the Cardinals.

Jaxon Kohler tells me that he's now also receiving interest from Louisville. https://t.co/wImHtpApv2
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 11, 2026

Kansas' big man room is somewhat depleted right now, primarily because of the loss of Bidunga. KU's expected replacement, Charleston transfer Christian Reeves, could be out for an extended period of time after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason for a torn labrum.

Kohler was thought to be an excellent replacement for Reeves as he works his way back from injury. His elite rebounding and ability to space the floor could turn this good Jayhawk squad into a great one. But is that possibility now off the table with Louisville's hefty financial backing in play?

Louisville Could Pry Jaxon Kohler Away From Kansas

As a senior in East Lansing, Kohler averaged 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. The Utah native was not selected in the 2026 NBA Draft but competed for the Jazz in the Summer League, which helped make BYU the perceived frontrunner.

It's important to note that we don't even know if Kohler will be officially deemed eligible for the 2026-27 season. Yesterday, the NCAA announced it was refusing to provide a blanket waiver to Class of 2022 athletes. However, the federal court injunction currently requires the NCAA to temporarily grant those players additional eligibility.

It would be one thing if Kohler were to leave for a school like BYU, which also desperately needs help in the frontcourt, but getting spurned by Louisville for another transfer target would sting deeply. All Kansas can hope for is to land Kohler or another transfer in the next month to shore up the roster.

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