Michigan State basketball: Jaxon Kohler is finally a “full-go”

After missing the first two months of the year, Michigan State basketball will be getting Jaxon Kohler back fully.

It sounds like the Jaxon Kohler injury updates are finally over. Michigan State basketball has been without its big man for the entire season, until the last game against Northwestern where he played a couple minutes at the end.

After practice today, Tom Izzo shared one final update (hopefully) on his health.

Jaxon Kohler is back fully

Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press shared on X today what Tom Izzo told the media after practice.

Izzo says Jaxon Kohler is back full-go in practice today.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 9, 2024

This is news we’ve been waiting for all season. Kohler was ready to have a big season this year and be one of the main contributors in the post before his injury in the preseason. Losing Kohler was tough for as the post depth isn’t the strength of this team, so hearing he’s 100 percent once again is awesome.

Impact of Kohler’s return

I can’t stress enough how important Kohler’s return is. He brings something unique to the post that the Spartans have been missing all season.

Mady Sissoko and Carson Cooper have their strengths, but creating their own shot down low is not one of them. That is where Jaxon can thrive in this offense. The guards, like Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard, can create their own shot, but Kohler will be the one who can do so in the post. Malik Hall can also thrive in the post, but Kohler is the more traditional big who brings his own skill set compared to Hall.

As I mentioned, Kohler did play in the loss to Northwestern on Sunday. He only played three minutes when the outcome of the game was already decided and did not register a stat.

Last season as a freshman, he averaged 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds across 10 minutes per game. I fully expect these stats to increase this season especially when he gets his “game legs” back underneath him.