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Michigan State forward to miss start of season following surgery

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Michigan State will be without one big man to open the 2023-24 season, the program announced on Wednesday.

According to an MSU press release, power forward Jaxon Kohler had surgery on his left foot in Charlotte. Kohler’s ailment is not expected to be season-ending, and the Spartans have a current timetable expecting Kohler to be back before Christmas.

Kohler came to Michigan State as a 4-star recruit and top-75 prospect in the 2022 recruiting class per the 247 Sports Composite. He appeared in 34 games as a true freshman and averaged 3 points and 2.9 rebounds in a little over 10 minutes per game.

While the loss of Kohler is a blow to MSU’s early depth, last year’s starting big man Mady Sissoko is back after averaging 5.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.8 blocks. Carson Cooper — a 6-foot-11 sophomore from Kohler’s recruiting class — is also back, along with 5-star freshman big man Xavier Booker.

Along with those pieces, Michigan State can occasionally go small with Malik Hall at a forward spot.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.