The Minnesota Timberwolves’ second-round draft pick is headed to college instead of the NBA, and he’s doing it with a fresh uniform and a legal win in hand.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, taken 59th overall by Minnesota in the NBA Draft, has signed with Kansas after securing an injunction that gives him another season of college eligibility. Bill Self said Tuesday that Kaufman-Renn is enrolled and already practicing with the Jayhawks.
Kaufman-Renn’s path back to the college game has been a legal one. The former Purdue standout filed a lawsuit in late August seeking a sixth year of eligibility after missing his first season with a knee injury. On Oct. 9, a Clark County, Indiana judge granted his injunction.
In a statement, Self pointed to both Kaufman-Renn’s résumé and the timing of the move.
“Trey Kaufman-Renn, who had a tremendous career at Purdue, has enrolled in classes, and is practicing with us as of Sunday. He reached the national championship game, the Elite 8 and the Sweet 16 at Purdue and has been extremely well-drilled and well-coached. Even though it’s late in the process, because of his basketball IQ, we think his transition will be quicker than most put in the same circumstance.”
Kansas announced the addition on Tuesday and referred to him as a fifth-year player, though this will actually be his sixth year in college.
Kaufman-Renn’s case stands apart from the broader eligibility fight involving players from the 2022 class. His injunction came from an Indiana state court and applies only to him. Minnesota Gophers wing Cade Tyson is among those still waiting on a federal class-action case, which the Tenth Circuit has put on hold.
For Kansas, the appeal is obvious. Kaufman-Renn averaged 14.2 points per game last season as a fifth-year senior while shooting 57.8% from the floor. If the Jayhawks get the version of him that posted 20.1 points per game on 59.5% shooting, they’ve landed a major piece.
His eligibility situation is still not fully settled, though. The NCAA is expected to appeal the injunction. For now, Kaufman-Renn can play at Kansas, and because he never signed a pro contract, Minnesota keeps his draft rights under the collective bargaining agreement while he suits up for the Jayhawks.
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