​This year’s NBA Summer League is loaded with a host of highly anticipated prospects, including several former Purdue basketball players who will be showcased over the coming weeks. Here are the Boilermakers who will be taking the floor in the near future.
Guard Braden Smith, a Westfield native and a former All-American, departs West Lafayette holding the NCAA record for career assists and standing as a Purdue icon. He remains in the state to begin his professional career with the Indiana Pacers, signing a two-way contract after being selected 38th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Smith’s path from Purdue to the Pacers highlights a seamless transition from college superstar to early NBA exposure, with the two-way deal offering him the opportunity to develop within the Pacers’ system while continuing to compete in the Summer League.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, from Sellersburg, completed his four-year tenure at Purdue and was selected 21 spots later than Smith, at 59th overall, by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kaufman-Renn’s draft position places him just outside the first round, and while he has not yet signed an official contract with Minnesota, his presence on the Timberwolves roster signals an ongoing commitment to proving his value at the professional level. His time in Purdue’s program established him as a versatile forward with a refined offensive game, and his Summer League participation will be a critical opportunity to showcase his scoring ability and fit at the next level.
Fletcher Loyer, the sharpshooting guard who closed out his Purdue career tied for the most games started in Boilermaker history, sharing that distinction with Braden Smith by starting every game over his four-year tenure. Loyer also led Purdue in made three-pointers, demonstrating a capacity to space the floor and contribute as a reliable scoring option. Although undrafted, Loyer signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of Summer League, giving him a concrete route to pursue development and potential immediate impact with the team in the coming weeks.
Oscar Cluff, Purdue’s center who produced an efficient season despite playing just one year in West Lafayette, shared the paint effectively with Kaufman-Renn. Although he did not hear his name called in the 2026 NBA Draft, Cluff agreed to a Summer League deal with the Houston Rockets. His presence in Houston’s Summer League rotation will offer him the chance to demonstrate his interior efficiency, shot-blocking instincts, and ability to complement a frontcourt alongside more seasoned pros.
From left to right in a recent photo sequence, Joe Barry Carroll, Zach Edey, and Braden Smith of Purdue basketball epitomize the range of alumni who are making an impression in the pro ranks. These players’ journeys—from Purdue classrooms to NBA arenas—underscore how the Boilermaker program continues to cultivate talent capable of competing on the game’s biggest stages.
This feature originated with the Indianapolis Star and examines four former Purdue basketball players who are on the rosters for the 2026 NBA Summer League, highlighting their paths from West Lafayette to professional opportunities and their potential impact in the coming weeks. Their stories illustrate not only the depth of Purdue’s legacy but also the ongoing pipeline from Purdue to the NBA.