Michigan State announces Jaxon Kohler underwent foot surgery, hopeful to return before Christmas

Michigan State will start the 2023-24 season without forward Jaxon Kohler. The program announced Wednesday he underwent foot surgery and is expected to return around Christmas.

Kohler was a key player off the bench last year for Michigan State, averaging 3.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 34 games as a freshman. He’s expected to play a big role again this season, but he’ll have to wait to make his season debut. The Spartans said the injury is not expected to be season-ending.

“Jaxon Kohler had surgery on his left foot on Tuesday in Charlotte,” the team said in a statement, via The Detroit Free Press’ Chris Solari. “It is not a season-ending injury and we are expected him to be back before Christmas.”

Kohler arrived in East Lansing last year as a highly touted recruit. A product of Southern California (Utah) Academy, he was a four-star recruit and the No. 55-ranked player in the nation from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Michigan State blends returning production with talented newcomers in 2023

Michigan State is widely predicted to be a top team in the Big Ten this year after making the Sweet Sixteen last season. The Spartans notably have five of their top six scorers back from last season, headlined by Tyson Walker and his team-high 14.8 points per game. MSU also has plenty of talented newcomers as part of a No. 6-ranked recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

The crown jewel of Michigan State’s incoming freshman class is five-star center Xavier Booker. He was the No. 1-ranked player in the state of Indiana and the No. 14 overall player in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Four-stars Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears were also the top-ranked players in the states of Georgia and Illinois, respectively.

At Big Ten Media Day, Izzo talked about what Fears brings to the table as a freshman and how the newcomers have fit in with the roster in the early going of practice.

“Jeremy Fears I think is one of the best leaders as a freshman that I’ve had, and I’ve had a couple of really good ones,” Izzo said. “Only a couple because there aren’t many like that, but he has been great for practices, great for A.J. Hoggard. Those guys go at it every day, and Tre Holloman.

“I think one of the reasons I’m excited, I think we have pretty good guards. We have both depth and we have talent at that spot, and hopefully that leads you as you go through the season.”