When you hear the name Trey Kaufman-Renn, the first thing that comes to mind is his impressive skills on the basketball court. The Purdue Boilermakers forward has been making waves in college basketball.
However, behind every rising star is a story of relentless support, sacrifice, and unshakable belief. For Trey, that unwavering pillar has always been his mother, Lara Renn.
How Did Trey Kaufman-Renn’s Mother, Lara Renn, Shape His Basketball Journey?
A single mother who played basketball herself, Lara has been the driving force behind Trey’s success—both on and off the court. So, who is Lara Renn, and how did she mold Trey into the player and person he is today?
Trey Kaufman-Renn was born on Aug. 19, 2002, in Sellersburg, Ind. It was here that Lara Renn, a former high school basketball player, raised her son with a mix of discipline and plenty of long car rides to tournaments.
Lara, who had an athlete’s mindset herself, quickly recognized Trey’s potential. Trey has often shared that his mother fostered his love for philosophy. During their car rides to games, they wouldn’t just talk about basketball but also discuss deep topics like ethics. Those conversations made such an impact that Trey is now majoring in philosophy at Purdue!
“I didn’t even know philosophy was a real subject until my mom and I started talking about it all the time,” Trey said in an interview.
Clearly, Lara shaped more than just his jump shot—she influenced how he thinks about life itself. Being a single parent is never easy, and raising a future Division I athlete adds another layer of complexity. Whether it was paying for AAU tournaments, driving hundreds of miles to showcases, or ensuring Trey had the right coaching, she did it all.
One particularly memorable story shows just how deeply Trey respects and acknowledges his mother’s sacrifices. When he reached high school, he made the unique decision to add his mother’s maiden name, Renn, to his own surname—a rare gesture in the sports world.
“I wanted to honor my mom and everything she’s done for me,” Trey said. “She’s been my biggest supporter since day one.”
The Injury That Tested Their Strength
Like any great athlete, Trey has faced adversity. In 2021, during his redshirt freshman season at Purdue, he suffered a knee injury that required surgery. It was a major setback, but Lara was right there beside him, making sure he stayed motivated through rehab and reminding him that setbacks were only temporary.
By March 2022, Trey was back and ready to contribute. Lara’s unwavering belief in her son played a huge role in his recovery, proving once again that behind every great athlete is someone pushing them to rise above the challenges.
While Lara has always been a source of strength and encouragement, there have been moments where she has had to stand strong against ugly realities.
In March 2025, during a Purdue game against Illinois, Lara and Trey’s younger brother, Jaylen, faced derogatory and racist comments from some Illinois fans. Trey later spoke out about the incident, saying, “The fact that my brother would be put in that situation is really unbelievable.”
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It was a painful experience but one that underscored the importance of family unity and resilience. Despite these challenges, Lara continues to be a steady presence in Trey’s life, offering the kind of support that helps him rise above negativity.
There’s no doubt that Trey Kaufman-Renn is a rising star in college basketball. However, his success story is incomplete without acknowledging the woman who made it all possible. For Trey, Lara Renn is that guiding force.
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