Former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Wren joined the Kansas State men’s basketball team for the 2026-27 season, the Jayhawks announced today in a press release.
Kaufman-Rehn, who played for the Boilermakers from 2022-26 after redshirting his freshman year in 2021-22, averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28.1 minutes per game over 37 games as a senior in 2025-26. After exhausting his college eligibility, Kaufman-Rehn became eligible for the draft and was selected with the 59th overall pick Timberwolveswho purchased the pick in San Antonio.
Instead of turning pro, however, Kaufman-Rehn sought an extra year of college eligibility after the NCAA implemented an age-based model by filing court petition in August. How On3’s Nick Schultz writes, the 24-year-old received signature on temporary stay in September and then was granted a preliminary injunction earlier this month.
While the NCAA is expected to appeal the decision, Kaufman-Wren is still eligible to play one more season in college, and Kansas officially brought him on board Monday, announcing that he will replace the freshman Grant Mardiniwho suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury.
“Trey Kaufman-Wren, who had a great career at Purdue, signed up for classes and has been working out with us since Sunday,” head coach Bill Self the statement said. “He reached the national championship game, the Elite 8 and the Sweet 16 at Purdue and was very well prepared and well coached. Even though it’s late in the process, because of his basketball IQ, we think his transition will be faster than most people in the same circumstances.”
After suiting up for the Timberwolves’ Summer League team in July, Kaufman-Rehn will now serve as a draft pick and cover team — Minnesota will retain his NBA rights while he plays for the Jayhawks.
John Krawczynski of The Athletic reported last month that Wolves officials were supportive of Kaufman-Wren’s efforts to return to college since the front office didn’t necessarily expect him to be part of the club’s short-term plans.
