Former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Wren received a temporary restraining order against the NCAA that allows him to seek a return for a sixth season of college basketball, at least for now, according to Nathan Baird of The Indianapolis Star.
Clark County District Court No. 6 Judge Kyle P. Williams issued the ruling Wednesday in response to court petition that Kaufman-Wren filed in late August. It said the NCAA could not deny him eligibility based on the five years he spent in college, the four years he played with the Boilermakers or his professional status.
Williams says the NCAA should allow its schools to recruit, accept and enroll Kaufman-Wren while allowing him to be part of the basketball team and receive any benefits that come with it.
A separate hearing has yet to be scheduled on Kaufman-Rehn’s request for a preliminary injunction, which Baird noted will have a bigger impact on whether he is cleared to play this season.
According to Williams’ decision, Kaufman-Wren is not allowed to sign a professional contract or receive any income from a professional basketball team. He was elected by Timberwolves with the 59th pick in this year’s draft and played in five Summer League games, but he remains without signature. Wolves officials are supportive of his efforts to return to college, according to John Krawczynski of The Athletic (Link to Twitter).
Cowman-Wren said “six or seven” college coaches have contacted him or his representatives to express interest, according to Byrd. He confirmed in an Instagram post that he would not return to Purdue.
In their request for a temporary ban, Kaufman-Rehn’s attorneys argued that other NCAA athletes who were active last season are allowed to play a full five years. Kaufman-Rehn redshirted in the 2021-2022 season before playing the next four years with the Boilermakers. After the hearing, he said he would not use this redshirt year under the new rules, according to Baird.
