SELLERSBURG, Ind. — Trey Kaufman, the 6-foot-8 senior at Silver Creek High School is the top ranked recruit in the state of Indiana, the reigning Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year, a 2019 IHSAA state champion, the front runner to become the 2021 Indiana Mr. Basketball and most recently…a Purdue Boilermaker.

Friday evening, Kaufman held a YouTube special to announce his college choice. The commitment special was hosted by WJHI sports broadcaster Wyatt Williams. Williams and Kaufman have known each other since preschool and used to battle on the playground basketball courts as kids. “Trey is a special player and person,” Williams said via a Twitter conversation this weekend. “He has made some serious improvements this offseason on his shooting and athleticism. He listens to his critics and proves them wrong. In my eyes, I see him in the NBA in 2 years or less.”

Kaufman’s recruitment was anything but ordinary. In the age of coronavirus, recruiting trips were replaced with Zoom calls and text messages. The high school season was cut short as the Dragons were on their way to defending their state title. Official visits were limited to only a few schools, therefore, being able to rub shoulders with the current roster and staff was rare. Despite these difficulties, Kaufman was able to receive numerous offers from NCAA bluebloods like Virginia, North Carolina, Louisville and Indiana among others.

Coming into Friday’s announcement, Kaufman had narrowed his choices down to his top 5 (Indiana, Indiana State, North Carolina, Purdue and Virginia) “It’s an honor” Kaufman said “for some kid from Sellersburg, Indiana to be recruited by five great schools.” Narrowing it down to the final choice didn’t come easy. “This is one of the toughest choices that I’ve had to make.” Kaufman said in regards to his college career choice “You can’t go wrong with any one of these schools.”

Indiana University is close to home for Kaufman, not to mention his relationship with the incoming roster is strong. “I know a lot of the players at Indiana,” Kaufman said. In fact he has had the opportunity to play with or against guys like Trey Galloway, Anthony Leal and Khristian Lander, and the idea of playing with them was tempting.

Indiana State has always held a special place in Kaufman’s heart. His uncle (Matt Renn) played for the Sycamores from 1997-2001 and is now a member of the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame. Renn led the Sycamores to their first NCAA tournament win since Larry Bird’s squad in 1979. Knowing the legacy his uncle left behind in Terre Haute, it’s no wonder Indiana State made the top five. While Kaufman has his eyes on the NBA, he recognizes that “so many players have made it to the NBA and haven’t come from “big time” programs”, citing players such as Damian Lillard (Weber State) and Stephen Curry (Davidson).

The official announcement came during a video that featured Kaufman performing drills in a dark Silver Creek gymnasium. “When it comes to making a decision about my future,” Kaufman says in a voiceover, “I need a team that’s just as committed as I am. I need a group of people that will push me and help me grow into becoming the best version of myself. That’s why I’m committing to Purdue University.”

Kaufman ultimately chose the Boilermakers because of their style of play. “I just think the way that I want to play is more suited to them as opposed to any of the other schools. My game, offensively and defensively fits them the best.”

A lot of praise went to the coaching staff at Purdue, especially Associate Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry and his history of developing players. “Hopefully I can go there, get to the next level and develop as a player and maximize my potential.” Kaufman said about his future in West Lafayette.

Williams asked the new Purdue commit about what it means to represent Coach Brandon Hoffman and the Silver Creek Dragons at the next level, “Growing up, Coach Hoffman was always the person that kept me under his wing.” Kaufman said. “Being able to represent him and the town of Sellersburg is something that I hold dear.”

For Hoffman, the feeling is mutual. “You can’t put a value on what Trey has meant to our program with his excellence on the court, and also in the classroom.” Hoffman said. “Our school and town are very blessed to have him, along with the boys he has been playing with since third grade. Purdue will be a great fit for Trey, and I expect him to have an immediate impact that will catapult into a great career there.”

Kaufman has always wanted to play college basketball and it’s been a life goal of his to win at every level. “I wanted to win the state title in high school, which I’ve done” Kaufman said “and also an NCAA title in college, and hopefully one later in the pros”

Could Kaufman help Purdue hang their first NCAA Tournament championship banner? If you ask Trey, he’s got a very short answer. “Boiler Up, Purdue!”

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