Judge's clarification means BYU basketball won't be signing center Jaxon Kohler

The stars were finally aligning over Kevin Young and BYU basketball for a moment there. Having missed on countless centers throughout the offseason -- both in traditional recruiting, if such a thing even exists anymore, and through the transfer portal -- the Cougars chopped through the dense vegetation of their center safari to discover the ideal candidate.

Jaxon Kohler, a Utah native and formerly a local prospect at American Fork High School, had been granted a fifth season of eligibility after an incredibly successful collegiate career under Tom Izzo at Michigan State. He was one of many names included in a Colorado court's ruling that granted every college athlete in the recruiting class of 2022 an extra season in line with the NCAA's new "five in five" standard.

The NCAA insisted that they would be contesting this ruling, but the wheels had been set in motion, and they would be challenging to stop now.

BYU needed a center, and a local product who happened to be the starter of one of the nation's best programs had suddenly become available; it was a match made in heaven.

That was, until the judge clarified his statement, noting that while his ruling granted an additional year of eligibility to the athletes affected, it did not grant those players the right to enter the transfer portal.

"The NCAA's clarification motion largely seeeks clarification of hte Court's preliminary injunction order on the basis of what it did not mention -- e.g., the Houst settlement agreement, roster caps, and transfer rules."

"The court now clarifies that -- consistent with the preliminary injunction order, and now the plain language of this order -- the NCAA is enjoined from prohibiting Plaintiffs and Class Members from competing in a fifth season of collegiate athletics under the rule."

In plain English, the NCAA cannot restrict the players in the affected recruiting class from playing for another season, but access to the transfer portal is not included.

So as it stands, Kohler is off the table for BYU basketball. Sorry if you got your hopes up. The Cougars aren't entirely without center options, though most of the prospect they've been reportedly tied to would need to take an unconventional route to play college basketball, and face questions over eligibility.

Court's clarification opens the door to BYU graduates

On the plus side, this ruling could bring two players back to Provo after exploring the option of going pro -- including an excellent, starting-caliber center.

Namely, Keba Keita, a 6'9" big who spent the final two seasons of his collegiate eligibility with the Cougars, transferring to join Kevin Young and his program after two years with Utah. A defensive pillar, an explosive athlete, and a shot-blocking, rim-running savant, Keita's production was hindered with minor injuries as a senior.

He looked great during the G-League Combine and NBA Summer League runs with the Indiana Pacers, but he won't likely sign an NBA contract in the offseason. Thanks to this court ruling, the senior could fill in at center once again.

If you'd like a prospect who's much more of a stretch, Richie Saunders remains unsigned despite being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies.

I don't expect Saunders to slide back to college -- Memphis selected him in the very early second-round, and he was projected as one of the best players still available after the first 30 picks. The Grizzlies drafted Saunders 32nd overall because they want him. It's really that simple.

Considering his injury status, it's also in Saunders' best interest to stay put with the Grizzlies so he can rehabilitate his ACL tear with an NBA training staff. If he returned to BYU, his knee would keep him sidelined for a significant chunk of the year and could jeopardize his NBA future entirely if he is injured again or underperforms upon return.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow