Wolves' Trey Kaufman-Renn fighting for NCAA return, emergency hearing Tuesday

Trey Kaufman-Renn is seeking a sixth year of eligibility in the NCAA, meaning his short time with the Minnesota Timberwolves is over.

Minnesota selected the former Purdue star 59th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Kaufman-Renn has not signed a contract with the Timberwolves, but he participated in the NBA Summer League and joined the team for a bonding trip to France hosted by Rudy Gobert.

Court documents obtained by Bring Me The Sports show that Kaufman-Renn filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA as he seeks a sixth year of eligibility.

Here's the specific wording in the motion:

Kaufman-Renn seeks a preliminary injunction requiring the NCAA, during the pendency of this action, to treat him as retaining one season of competition available for use during the 2026-2027 academic year, and restraining the NCAA during that period from applying or enforcing its eligibility rules and its transition classification to prevent him from enrolling at, transferring to, practicing with, or competing for a member institution during the 2026-2027 academic year, from invoking against him his entry into or selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, his professional representation, or his participation in the 2026 NBA Summer League, and from penalizing any member institution, conference, coach, or administrator for acting in accordance with the Court's order.

It might be a long shot for Kaufman-Renn, but his chances of earning a roster spot on a deep Timberwolves team were slim to none.

The NCAA's new age-based model disqualifies Kaufman-Renn from further college-level competition. It allows five years of eligibility beginning with their first academic year following their 19th birthday. Redshirt seasons and medical hardship waivers are no longer allowed.

Kaufman-Renn redshirted in 2021-22 at Purdue and then played the next four seasons. Under the new rules, he's exhausted his five years of eligibility.

The 2026-27 academic year is about to begin. The men's college basketball season begins in earnest in October, with games starting in November.

Kaufman-Renn's request for an emergency hearing was granted, and he will appear before a judge at 8:30 a.m. CT on Tuesday.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Aug 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Timberwolves section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.