Michigan State Stars Cooper and Kohler Face Off at 2026 Portsmouth Invitational

The annual pre-draft showcase event features top college basketball talent vying for NBA opportunities.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a basketball game, with the players' figures broken down into abstract shapes and forms.The annual Portsmouth Invitational showcases the raw talent and competitive spirit of top college basketball players vying for NBA opportunities.Portsmouth Today

Michigan State basketball stars Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler have agreed to participate in the 2026 Portsmouth Invitational, a prestigious pre-draft showcase event that gives top college players a chance to perform in front of NBA scouts. The two Spartans faced off against each other in a matchup on Thursday, with Cooper's team emerging victorious. The Invitational runs through Saturday, providing Cooper, Kohler, and other top prospects a final opportunity to boost their professional prospects.

Why it matters

The Portsmouth Invitational has long been a key event for college players looking to make the jump to the NBA. Past Spartan participants like Matt Costello have used strong performances at the Invitational to earn opportunities in the G-League and NBA. For Cooper and Kohler, the event represents a chance to showcase their skills one last time before pursuing their professional dreams.

The details

Cooper and Kohler, both key contributors for Michigan State this past season, will be joined by an impressive array of talent at the 2026 Portsmouth Invitational. Kohler's team features Purdue's Trey Kaufman-Renn, Michigan's Nimari Burnett, North Carolina's Seth Trimble, and Tennessee's Felix Okpara. Cooper will team up with USC's Ezra Ausar to form a formidable post duo. In their Thursday matchup, Cooper finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds, while Kohler had 5 points and 8 rebounds, with Cooper's squad emerging victorious.

  • The 72nd annual Portsmouth Invitational will take place from April 17-20, 2026.
  • Cooper and Kohler faced off against each other on Thursday, April 17th.

The players

Carson Cooper

A standout forward for the Michigan State Spartans, Cooper is looking to showcase his skills for NBA scouts at the Portsmouth Invitational.

Jaxon Kohler

A talented big man for the Michigan State Spartans, Kohler will join Cooper in competing at the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational pre-draft event.

Ezra Ausar

A forward from the University of Southern California, Ausar will team up with Carson Cooper to form a formidable post duo at the Portsmouth Invitational.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

A standout player from Purdue University, Kaufman-Renn will be a key member of Jaxon Kohler's team at the Portsmouth Invitational.

Nimari Burnett

The national champion from the University of Michigan, Burnett will join Kohler's squad at the Portsmouth Invitational.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The 72nd annual Portsmouth Invitational will conclude on Saturday, April 20, 2026, providing Cooper, Kohler, and the other top prospects one final chance to impress NBA scouts before the upcoming draft.

The takeaway

The participation of Cooper and Kohler in the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational underscores Michigan State's continued success in developing NBA-caliber talent. The event represents a valuable opportunity for the two Spartans to showcase their skills and potentially earn professional opportunities, building on the program's history of producing players who have found success at the next level.