BYU forward Jaxon Kohler was named to the Naismith Starting 5 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List on Thursday morning, October 29, 2026. The 6-foot-10 American Fork native has emerged as a key contributor for the Cougars following his transfer from Michigan State.
Preseason Watch List Details
Kohler is one of six players from the Big 12 included on the preseason list. He joins Keanu Dawes of Kansas, Xavier Edmonds of TCU, Paulius Murauskas of Arizona State, JT Toppin of Texas Tech, and Joseph Tugler of Houston. The annual Karl Malone Award, named after the Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, recognizes the top power forward in NCAA Division I men's college basketball in its 13th year.
Recent Scoring Performances
The American Fork native has demonstrated immediate impact in his new role. In a 89-77 victory over UNLV on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Kohler was one of four Cougars to score in double figures. He recorded 19 points, shooting 8 of 15 from the field and 3 of 7 from three-point range. His performance helped BYU overcome a 12-point deficit in the first half to defeat the Runnin Rebels.
Impact Against Nebraska
Kohler also recorded a double-double during a 72-61 win over Nebraska. All 10 of his points in that contest came during the second half. He recorded a game-high 10 rebounds, four of which were on the offensive glass. He was also one of four Cougars to record multiple three-pointers in the win against the Cornhuskers, converting 2 of 4 attempts from behind the arc.
Michigan State Career Summary
Prior to transferring to BYU, Kohler played four seasons at Michigan State, appearing in 124 games and earning 69 starts. During his senior season at Michigan State, he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades after starting in all 35 contests. During that final season in East Lansing, he averaged 12.5 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game, and shot 50.0 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from three-point range, and 86.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Spartan Rebounding Records
Kohler's rebounding prowess was a standout feature of his tenure with the Spartans. His 8.9 rebounds per game during his senior year ranked third-most in the Big Ten and 36th nationally. Additionally, his 312 rebounds in a single season tied for the 10th most in Michigan State history. During his time with the Spartans, the team reached the Elite Eight in 2025 and the Sweet 16 in 2026, finishing with a 57-15 record over his final two seasons.
Historical Achievements
During his time under coach Tom Izzo, Kohler became the first player in the program's history to record a double-double in five consecutive games. Those performances included 10 points and 12 rebounds at Penn State, 16 points and 13 rebounds against Toledo, 13 points and 13 rebounds against Oakland, 11 points and 10 rebounds against Cornell, and 19 points and 11 rebounds at Nebraska.
Award Selection Process
The selection process for the Karl Malone Award involves a multi-stage narrowing of candidates. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Malone and Katrina McClain Awards will be reduced to 10, and then to five in March. The five finalists will be presented to the Malone and Hall of Fame selection committees in late March. These committees consist of media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers to determine the winners.
