CHICAGO — Trey Kaufman-Renn is eligible — for now — and could be the difference in Kansas competing for a Final Four.
He’s that valuable.
Kaufman-Renn scored 12 points on efficient 4-of-5 shooting, hit a three-pointer, made 3 of 4 free throws, grabbed 6 boards, dished out 6 assists, had 2 steals and zero turnovers in 24 minutes in Kansas’ 89-69 thrashing of Kentucky Tuesday night in the Champions Classic at the United Center.
Kaufman-Renn fully understands his value.
“I’m just excited,’’ Kaufman-Renn told Hoops HQ. “These guys have welcomed me with open arms. All the history at Kansas. It’s a blue blood program.
“I came in with the mindset however I could help the team — if I was going to play 10 minutes or 30 minutes I’ll let the coach decide that,” Kaufman-Redd said. “My biggest thing was how could I help the team? I’m a much better player (after going through the NBA summer experience). I’m trying to figure out how I can improve my game and what they’re looking for as I play in the college game (again).”
So, too, does Hall of Fame Kansas coach Bill Self.
“He’s a connector,” Self told Hoops HQ. “He takes three shots in the first three minutes and then two shots the rest of the game and he’s still the most efficient player on the floor. You can run stuff through him and I’m still trying to figure out how to use him. I saw our guys have become better cutters since he’s been playing. He gives us another dimension we didn’t have anyone who could get them the ball. I like him. He makes the game easy.”
He should. Look at his resume, thus far.
Kaufman-Renn, in his sixth year of men’s college basketball, joined Kansas last month after a five-year career at Purdue.
Kaufman-Renn was a decorated Boilermaker, earning first team All-Big Ten in the 2024-25 season. He played an integral part of Purdue’s 2024 national runner-up finish, and also helped make runs to the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight while totaling 117 wins in four seasons. He finished with 1,655 points and 762 rebounds across four years before being drafted in the second round by Minnesota (No. 59) last June.
But he chose to challenge the NCAA and the legal system to try and play for a sixth season.
He wasn’t going back to Purdue. Enter Kansas.
Kaufman-Renn got a preliminary injunction against the NCAA before a Clark County, Ind. judge. His case is based on a knee injury his freshman season. He is not a part of the Class of 2022 and is not seeking a traditional five-in-five spot. He’s trying to play a fifth season of college basketball over a six-year period.
The NCAA has appealed the decision to the Indiana Court of Appeals but a date for when that would be heard is unknown.
Why did Kaufman-Renn want to come back to college instead of staying as a professional basketball player?
He gave a vague answer. “A variety of reasons. The big opportunity I saw, as a basketball fan that I am, was I got to play for coach (Matt) Painter and now I get to play for coach Self and try to do the one thing I didn’t do as a player — win a national championship. I’m super excited about that opportunity. I got close, but we didn’t get the job done.’’
Kaufman-Renn is averaging nearly 13 points a game, shooting over 80 percent and roughly five boards in three games.
How long will this last?
“I don’t have control over it,’’ said Kaufman-Renn. “I’m trying to win each game with this great group of guys. That’s my biggest thing. If they overturn it, they overturn it. Right now I’m able to play and I’m going to keep working with these guys.’’
Kaufman-Renn isn’t alone as a late add that is using the legal system to be eligible. The Jayhawks also have Melvin Council and Tre White eligible via the court system. White leads the team in scoring at 15 a game while Council was averaging eight before breaking his foot, which will likely keep him out until January.
Meanwhile, the Jayhawks have the potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft in freshman Tyron Stokes. Toss in Leroy Blyden Jr., Christian Reeves, Keanu Dawes, Dennis Parker Jr., and Taylen Kinney and there is enough depth to do something special.
Kansas without Kaufman-Renn, White and Council wouldn’t have a chance for a Big 12 title and a Final Four berth. But they are all eligible — for now — and should (assuming Council is back) put Kansas in position for quite a season.
The schedule is loaded as usual, with Villanova, Missouri, at UConn and Ohio State on the docket all before the Big 12.
“I like our pieces and our roster,’’ Self said. “Now granted, it’s an unknown if this will be the same team with injuries, the NCAA and injunctions. But if we can keep everyone together and we’re able to have enough depth and enough bodies, then this team could be fun to coach.”
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