Purdue Basketball: Trey Kaufman-Renn's breakout into an All-Big Ten player

After losing 2-time National Player of the Year big man Zach Edey, there were questions as to whether Purdue Basketball would take some kind of step back the year. Yet the Boilermakers look the part of a Final Four contender, thanks to another big man.

Trey Kaufman-Renn is a former top-100 and four-star prospect out of high school. He started 38 games last season, averaging 6.4 ppg and 4.0 rpg in 17 mpg. He had an impact, but since he doesn’t space the floor a ton, the fit alongside Edey was sometimes clanky.

This year, the 6’9 junior is the new focal point of the frontcourt. He’s had at least 14 points in all eight games this season, with the 26-point and 8-rebound game against Alabama in the big home win putting him in the national spotlight. 

Kaufman-Renn's play continued this past week in the Rady Children’s Invitational. He went for 22 points and eight rebounds in the win over NC State in the Final Four rematch, followed by 25 points and 13 rebounds to beat Ole Miss in the championship, outplaying the entire Rebels’ frontcourt.

On the season, Kaufman-Renn leads Purdue with 19.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg, shooting 60% from the field. He’s an underrated playmaker as well, with 2.6 apg. Once starting center Daniel Jacobsen went down with a season-ending injury, the frontcourt depth had the chance to be an issue for the Boilermakers. But while he’s not as dominant as Edey was, the play of the junior big man is huge enough to keep Purdue as the favorite in the Big Ten.

Braden Smith (12.8 ppg and 9.1 apg) has played at an All-American level and has rightfully gotten plenty of attention. However, it should be viewed as one of the best duos in the nation, as Trey Kaufman-Renn has been one of the best big men in the country.