Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter wouldn't want Smith, Loyer, Kaufman-Renn back

· Yahoo Sports

Purdue basketball will have a new look in the 2026-27 season: NCAA career assists leader Braden Smith, Boilers career 3-pointers leader Fletcher Loyer and big man Trey Kaufman-Renn are gone after becoming the recruiting class with the most wins in program history.

However, given the recent rounds of NCAA rules changes, lawsuits and injunctions, any or all of them could seek more eligibility. Would coach Matt Painter take him back?

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He says no.

The 22nd-year coach wouldn't begrudge any of them applying for more eligibility; it just wouldn't be with Purdue.

"Trey wouldn't apply for this ... even though everything can be battled these days," Painter said on the "Inside College Basketball" podcast with Jon Rothstein. "The other two guys, there's just no way we could take them back because these other guys, it's their turn. You've given them that word."

That trio combined for more than 5,400 points and a 117-32 record. Smith is now with the Indiana Pacers, Loyer is set to enter training camp with the Los Angeles Clippers and Kaufman-Renn was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"I wouldn't be against any one of them going somewhere else, if the money was extreme," Painter said. "I'd support that 100%."

Painter acknowledged the recent stability in his program allows him the luxury to avoid bidding wars for high-profile transfers.

Matt Painter talks current Purdue basketball team for 2026-27

Painter told Rothstein he likes the look of his new backcourt: C.J. Cox, Gicarri Harris and Omer Mayer return, Antoine West Jr. redshirted last season and Indiana Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel is in the mix.

"We could put three point guards out there some of the time," noting he likes the physicality of that group.

The coach's primary concern is inside physicality. The Boilers always have a lot of height, with Daniel Jacobsen (7-4) and Raleigh Burgess (6-11) returning. Painter believes Enzo Shahrvin, a 6-9 Frenchman known for his rebounding, will help Purdue keep up with the likes of Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois.

"Can we compete at a high level on the glass in the Big Ten? I think if that answer is yes, we can stay at a (national contender) level," Painter said. "If not, you're going to battle that possession more."

Here's the full podcast:

Purdue basketball roster 2026-27

Returning players

Grand transfer

Transfer

Freshmen

  • Sinan Huan, center from Georgetown Prep (Md.), via China
  • Jacob Webber, guard from La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind.
  • Rivers Knight, forward from La Lumiere School in La Porte, Ind.
  • Luke Ertel, guard from Mount Vernon in McCordsville, Ind.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter wouldn't want Smith, Loyer, Kaufman-Renn back

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