Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal while seeking an additional season of eligibility, On3 has learned. The now-former Boilermakers star had been trying to procure a sixth year after missing the entire 2021-22 season due to injury. 

He filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in late August and was granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday, allowing him to join a college program while the legal process continued. That situation could be resolved in Kaufman-Renn’s favor, giving the veteran forward another season of college basketball.

$19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage

The Sellersburg, Indiana, native spent five years at Purdue and appeared in 147 career games for the Boilermakers. He averaged 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists during his career in West Lafayette.

Kaufman-Renn’s best season came in 2025, when he earned First Team All-Big Ten honors after averaging 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He established himself as one of the most productive frontcourt players in the conference and became a key piece for Purdue during his time with the program.

His eligibility situation became more complicated after the NCAA implemented a new age-based model. Under the updated structure, athletes have five years to play five seasons, with their eligibility clock beginning either when they first enroll in college or on their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

Because Kaufman-Renn missed the 2021-22 season due to injury, he sought another year in court. Additionally, he was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 59 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, according to WAVE, his attorney previously said he had not signed a professional contract with the organization.

That distinction became relevant as conferences around the country began establishing new rules regarding athletes with professional experience attempting to return to college sports. The Big Ten’s current guidance has focused primarily on former NFL players, and does not include the same language regarding NBA players.

Now that Kaufman-Renn may be granted another season of eligibility, he can officially explore his options through the transfer portal. A return to Purdue remains one possibility, but Kaufman-Renn will also have the opportunity to hear from other programs looking to add an experienced frontcourt player.

With 147 career appearances, All-Big Ten honors and proven production at the Power Four level, Kaufman-Renn immediately becomes one of the most accomplished players available in the portal. We’ll see where he ends up this coming season.

— On3’s Daniel Hager and Nick Schultz contributed to this article.