Trey Kaufman-Renn is still fighting for another college season, and the market for his services is already taking shape.
On Tuesday, the former Purdue forward appeared in court wearing a suit and tie as he pursues a sixth year of eligibility. Kaufman-Renn spent five seasons with the Boilermakers before filing a lawsuit against the NCAA for an additional year.
No final ruling came down Tuesday. According to Nathan Baird of The Indianapolis Star, both sides will submit proposed orders by noon on Wednesday, and a decision is expected after that.
Even while his case works through the legal system, Kaufman-Renn said multiple programs have already checked in.
He said he’s been in contact with “six or seven” college basketball teams recently, though he did not identify any of them. The 6-foot-9 forward, who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection, would be a major addition for plenty of schools.
Purdue, though, does not sound like the most likely landing spot if he gets the extra year.
“I've talked to them,” Kaufman-Renn said when asked about Purdue in a video posted by Baird. “There hasn't been any giant conversation around that specifically.”
Kaufman-Renn’s case centers on the eligibility changes the NCAA has made and how they apply to his path. The organization adopted a new five-for-five model that removes redshirt statuses and medical waivers while giving athletes one more season. He argued that if that rule had existed when he was a freshman, he would not have sat out his first season.
That’s part of why he wants to be included with other players getting another shot.
“I think it was hearing that a lot of players were in similar positions and were going to get another year to play college basketball, another year to get paid a lot of money,” Kaufman-Renn said. “Why shouldn't I be in that group?”
His situation has another wrinkle: Kaufman-Renn was selected in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also played every game for the team’s NBA Summer League roster in Las Vegas. The NCAA is working to block players drafted by the NBA, NFL and WNBA from returning to college.
At the time he filed the lawsuit, Kaufman-Renn had not signed his contract with the Timberwolves.
If he does get the green light to return to school, money would be part of the equation. Kaufman-Renn said he could make “substantially more” by going back to college, even as he still has NBA ambitions.
Kaufman-Renn wrapped up his senior season at Purdue averaging 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Over four seasons with the Boilermakers, he totaled 1,655 points and 762 rebounds.
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