Trey Kaufman-Renn wins court order, may
Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, drafted 59th by Minnesota in 2026, has won a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, potentially allowing him to
Former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn has won a temporary court order that could send him back to college basketball instead of to Minnesota Timberwolves training camp. The No. 59 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA by Judge Kyle P. Williams in the No. 6 Circuit Court on Wednesday, according to a Yahoo Sports report.
The ruling allows Kaufman-Renn to join a college team while awaiting a preliminary injunction hearing. The report suggests he could be headed back to Purdue or another school. Financial incentives are a primary driver. At the university level, Kaufman-Renn would likely command a top-tier Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payment worth multiple millions if eligible. His potential NBA path is less certain.
Timberwolves' Roster Logjam
The Timberwolves currently have no open two-way contract spots. Enrique Freeman, Zyon Pullin, and Rocco Zikarsky all hold deals that would split time between the NBA and the G League. Zikarsky could earn a standard 15-man roster spot in camp, which would open a two-way deal for Kaufman-Renn. Otherwise, the former Boilermaker would likely begin the season on a G League contract.
Kaufman-Renn played five games for the Timberwolves at the Las Vegas Summer League after the draft. His collegiate career was extensive. He redshirted his freshman year recovering from a knee injury, then played four seasons. This would typically make him ineligible even under the incoming "five-for-five" system.
A Potential Loophole
Legal arguments may provide a path. The Big Ten has a rule prohibiting former NFL players from returning to college, but it says nothing about former NBA players. Also, Kaufman-Renn has not yet signed an NBA contract, which could be another loophole. The report notes the SEC previously sued LSU for attempting to bring former NFL players back to college.
Kaufman-Renn is not alone. The Chicago Bulls signed priority undrafted free agent Donovan Atwell, who might have earned a two-way deal after a strong summer league. Instead, Atwell is fighting in court to return and play for Texas Tech, with an Oct. 15 court date.
A Growing Trend in College Basketball
The report frames this as part of a broader, messy trend. Numerous players are challenging the system this summer for an extra year of eligibility and the accompanying NIL payday. These cases, the report contends, take opportunities from incoming freshmen and starting spots from younger players who have waited for a bigger role.
It states that college sports are "broken right now" and that it doesn't feel fair for drafted players like Kaufman-Renn to return. The article positions him as the latest example in a summer defined by players nationwide going to court for extra eligibility.
