**ESPN: Purdue Men’s Basketball Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn Wins 2025 Sporting News National Player of the Year**
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn has been named the 2025 Sporting News National Player of the Year, capping off a sensational season that saw the junior lead his team to the top of the college basketball world.
Kaufman-Renn, a 6-foot-9 forward from Sellersburg, Indiana, stepped into the national spotlight in his third season with the Boilermakers, showcasing a refined offensive skillset, defensive tenacity, and leadership that helped define Purdue’s dominance throughout the 2024–25 campaign. He becomes the first Purdue player to win the prestigious Sporting News award since Glenn Robinson in 1994.
Averaging 19.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, Kaufman-Renn was the engine behind a Purdue team that spent much of the season ranked in the top five nationally. His performance in the Big Ten was nothing short of commanding, leading the conference in field goal percentage and efficiency rating. He consistently delivered in high-pressure moments, including back-to-back 30-point games against Illinois and Michigan State, solidifying his status as one of the nation’s most clutch performers.
What set Kaufman-Renn apart this season was his evolution from a complementary piece into a focal point of Purdue’s offense. After spending his first two seasons developing behind the likes of Zach Edey and others, Kaufman-Renn emerged in 2025 as the go-to option in head coach Matt Painter’s system. His footwork in the post, improved shooting touch from midrange, and defensive versatility made him nearly unstoppable on both ends of the court.
“Trey has been the heart of this team all year,” Painter said in a statement. “His work ethic, toughness, and maturity have really set the tone for everyone. He’s earned every bit of this recognition.”
The award from *Sporting News* is one of the four major honors that make up the consensus national player of the year. With this win, Kaufman-Renn is firmly in the conversation for sweeping the full set, with announcements from the Associated Press, NABC, and USBWA still to come.
Beyond the numbers, Kaufman-Renn’s leadership has been lauded by teammates and coaches alike. As team captain, he played a crucial role in mentoring younger players and maintaining Purdue’s strong locker room culture during a season full of high expectations.
“This is special,” Kaufman-Renn said after receiving the award. “I just wanted to help my team win, and I couldn’t have done this without my coaches and teammates. This is for all of us.”
With his national player of the year status now confirmed, Kaufman-Renn’s future will be a major storyline in the coming weeks. He is widely projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, though he has not yet made a public decision about his professional plans.
For now, Purdue fans and college basketball observers alike will celebrate one of the sport’s brightest stars—Trey Kaufman-Renn, the 2025 Sporting News National
Player of the Year.
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