INDIANAPOLIS — Former Purdue forward and Sellersburg, Indiana, native Trey Kaufman-Renn has signed with the Kansas Jayhawks in the midst of fighting the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility.
TKR, as he was affectionately called during his five years at Purdue, is one of three Jayhawks players pursuing court action for another year to play college basketball. He was given a preliminary injunction against the NCAA by the courts earlier this month, which allows him to sign with the Jayhawks.
Kansas announced the official signing Monday, including a statement by Jayhawks head basketball coach Bill Self.
“Trey Kaufman-Renn, who had a tremendous career at Purdue, has enrolled in classes, and is practicing with us as of Sunday,” Self said in the statement. “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.”
The Jayhawks also posted a social media video showing the former Purdue star in a Kansas uniform practicing with the rest of the team.
Kaufman-Renn was drafted 59th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Draft in June but never signed a contract.
Kansas was ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press’ Preseason Top 25 poll on Monday. The Jayhawks are scheduled to open the season against Fordham on Monday, Nov. 2.
