Michigan State men’s basketball’s Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper have signed contracts to continue playing professional basketball.
Neither player’s name was called in the NBA Draft, but Cooper, on the Memphis Grizzlies, and Kohler, on the Utah Jazz, will play in the NBA Summer League. Just as they did as freshmen in East Lansing, the two big men will be battling for playing time and spots on their respective NBA teams. The 6-foot-11 center, Cooper, signed a two-way contract while Kohler inked an Exhibit 10 deal.
A two-way contract guarantees a player a spot on an NBA roster, splitting time between the NBA and G-League. An Exhibit 10 contract gives Kohler a shot to earn a two-way contract while playing for his hometown Jazz this summer.
The two join a slew of former Spartans to sign summer league deals. Jaden Akins joined the Orlando Magic alongside Jase Richardson in the 2025 summer league, Tyson Walker signed with the Phoenix Suns and Malik Hall played for the Charlotte Hornets, among others. Akins currently sees substantial minutes for the Motor City Cruise, the Detroit Pistons G-League affiliate. Hall and Walker currently play professionally in Europe.
Both Cooper and Kohler enjoyed career seasons in East Lansing this past season. Cooper averaged 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a dominant presence in the paint and a pick-and-roll threat. Kohler posted 12 double-doubles, and Cooper had four.
Kohler came into his own in his senior year, netting a career high in threes on 38.9%. Even as a power forward, he was the team’s most consistent three-point shooter. Kohler finished the season with 12.5 and 8.9 rebounds per game.
The NBA Summer League tips off July 3 with games available on ESPN, NBA TV, and Prime Video.
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