Kansas basketball is celebrating the addition of Purdue transfer Trey Kaufman-Renn, a huge move that could significantly improve their national championship chances entering the new season. The university's official athletics website lauded the star big man, and understandably so, but it curiously omitted one major aspect of this huge move. He was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The No. 59 overall pick did not sign an NBA contract and is instead seeking another year of NCAA eligibility. Kaufman-Renn received a preliminary injunction, but as has been the cases with other athletes who pursue a college return, the road is not always straightforward. The Jayhawks do not appear worried. Legendary head coach Bill Self opted to keep the focus on the 6-foot-9 forward's enrollment at Kansas.
Article Continues Below“Trey Kaufman-Renn, who had a tremendous career at Purdue, has enrolled in classes, and is practicing with us as of Sunday,” Self said, per KUAthletics.com. “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.”