Kansas adds Kaufman-Renn, but Self is cautious about exhibition minutes

Trey Kaufman-Renn has joined Kansas, and Bill Self says conditioning could limit his minutes in Wednesday's exhibition against Louisville.

Self told reporters at Tuesday's Big 12 media day that Kaufman-Renn could play, while cautioning that doing so might be a reach from a safety standpoint because he was not yet in good enough shape. The Kansas City Star's Gary Bedore reported that the forward would be on the bench and might take part in warmups.

Kaufman-Renn arrived Sunday and had practiced with the Jayhawks only a couple of times by Tuesday. Kansas announced his addition Monday, saying he had enrolled in classes and begun working with the team.

The 6-foot-9 forward takes the roster spot of freshman Grant Mordini, who sustained a season-ending patellar tendon injury in practice last month. Kansas said Mordini would remain with the program while rehabilitating for 2027-28.

Kaufman-Renn brings a substantial college record. He averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists at Purdue last season, shot 57.8 percent from the field and recorded 11 double-doubles. The previous season, he averaged 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Self pointed to his experience and basketball IQ in Kansas' announcement as reasons the late transition could move quickly. Bedore's reporting Tuesday also described teammates welcoming his energy and approach to learning the system.

Bedore reported that court orders had cleared him to return and that an NCAA appeal was expected. Self said he was preparing as though Kaufman-Renn and fellow additions Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. would be available, while acknowledging that appeals could change that.

Kansas hosts Louisville at 6 p.m. Central on Wednesday in an exhibition that will not count toward either team's regular-season record. The Jayhawks then host Duke in another exhibition Sunday before opening the regular season against Fordham on November 2.

Sources

• Kansas: Kaufman-Renn enrolls and joins practice
• Kansas City Star: Self weighs Kaufman-Renn’s conditioning before Louisville exhibition
• Kansas: current schedule and roster