Mark Pope and Kentucky pursue a former Michigan State frontcourt star as the NCAA fifth-year window expands

Kentucky, under second-year head coach Mark Pope, is reportedly pushing for a former Michigan State standout in the transfer portal, a move that would reinforce the Wildcats’ frontcourt as roster planning accelerates for the next NCAA season. According to Yahoo Sports, Pope’s staff is targeting a big man “in the transfer portal,” a pursuit framed as part of Kentucky’s broader effort to add size and experience in a way that fits the post-transfer landscape.

The timing matters because of a recent eligibility development affecting how many players can choose to extend their college careers. Yahoo Sports reported that a judge granted an additional year of eligibility to every player who graduated in the 2022 high school class and has used all of their college eligibility. The same report described how the players involved argued that the rule’s limits felt unfair to them, and that the judge appeared to agree. In practical terms, that decision creates new options for certain players, increasing the volume of activity around the transfer market.

For Kentucky, that expanded pool can be especially valuable. The Wildcats traditionally aim to build a physical, matchup-ready roster in the SEC and to remain competitive in March, and adding a proven former-power-conference big would help with rim protection, screening, and the ability to hold up against teams that play through the paint. Yahoo Sports’ framing specifically points to Pope’s interest in a “big man,” aligning with a staff philosophy that often prioritizes dependable size.

The Yahoo Sports piece identifies the Michigan State player in its accompanying imagery as forward Jaxon Kohler, depicting him in game action against Louisville. Kohler’s name is therefore strongly associated with the “former Michigan State superstar” described in the report, though Kentucky’s intent and any eventual transfer decision would still depend on portal participation and follow-through by the player.

This court-linked eligibility shift also changes the rhythm of offseason recruiting and roster construction. Instead of simply dealing with typical graduations and one-cycle portal windows, programs now have to factor in players who may have previously been considered finished but can re-open the decision tree. That can affect scholarship budgeting, the order in which teams evaluate targets, and how quickly a program has to make room for new arrivals.

Still, there are limits to what can be stated as fact from the current reporting. Yahoo Sports’ account describes a target and the general plan of pursuit, but it does not, in the material provided here, confirm Kentucky’s offer details, a commitment, or the final status of any player’s next destination. Transfer news can move quickly, and players can also change their minds based on fit, coaching relationships, and academic or roster considerations.

What to watch next is whether Kentucky and its recruiting staff convert early interest into a formal commitment, and whether the broader “fifth-year” ruling encourages additional portal entries from other major programs. If the Wildcats land a high-end frontcourt option, it would not only address immediate needs in the paint, but also report that Pope’s staff is willing to treat the eligibility change as a competitive advantage rather than a disruption. For fans, the next few portal updates will likely clarify whether this reported pursuit becomes the kind of foundational addition that can shape Kentucky’s identity in the second half of the decade.