A Historic Night for Purdue
The 2026 NBA Draft turned into a celebration for Purdue basketball, as two of its recent stars heard their names called on the second‑round stage, a feat not achieved by the program since 2011.
Braden Smith, a Westfield native who spent three seasons at Purdue, was originally picked at No. 38 by the Chicago Bulls before the rights were flipped to the Indiana Pacers, giving the Indiana‑born guard a chance to start his professional career close to home.
Trey Kaufman‑Renn followed at pick No. 59, selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves, capping a collegiate career that included multiple Big Ten regular‑season and tournament championships.
The double selection marks the first time since 2011 that Purdue has had two players drafted in the same year, a milestone that echoes the earlier draft of JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, who also made their marks in the league a decade ago.
During their time in West Lafayette, Smith and Kaufman‑Renn helped the Boilermakers capture two Big Ten regular‑season titles and two Big Ten Tournament crowns, while also guiding the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances and a run to the National Championship Game in 2024.
Though fellow seniors Fletcher Loyer and Oscar Cluff were not drafted, both are expected to receive Summer League invitations, ensuring that Purdue’s recent talent pipeline will continue to be evaluated on the court in the coming weeks.
The upcoming Summer League will provide a crucial platform for the Boilermakers’ alumni to prove they belong among the league’s next generation, and the excitement surrounding their prospects reflects the program’s resurgence under recent coaching leadership.