Braden Smith- Chasing History
By Zach Vogt
ISL Writer
Braden Smith entered the Purdue basketball program during the summer of 2022 as he prepared for this freshman season. His arrival came at a time of significant uncertainty for the program, as soon-to-be No. 5 overall pick Jaden Ivey — along with an accomplished senior class of Trevion Williams, Eric Hunter Jr., and Sasha Stefanovic — were all set to depart. This was all before Zach Edey became the version of Zach Edey that won back-to-back National Player of the Year awards.
There were plenty of questions about who would run the point for Purdue after the staff failed to land several experienced guards in the transfer portal — most notably Indianapolis native Nijel Pack, who ended up at Miami (FL). The 6-foot guard from Westfield was almost an afterthought among the fanbase for who would be the starting point guard when the season arrived. But as the season drew closer it became clear that there was only one logical option: Braden Smith.
It felt like a true ‘passing of the guard’ moment for the program as they appeared to be transitioning from an uber talented veteran core to a wave of young talent in hopes to build for the future. That transition came as seamless as one could have possibly imagined.
Braden Smith seized the starting point guard job as a freshman and saw a 12-day stretch from November 15 to November 27 in the fall of 2022 served as his official announcement to Purdue — and the rest of college basketball — that he had arrived. Over a four-game run featuring wins over Marquette, West Virginia, No. 6 Gonzaga, and No. 8 Duke, Smith averaged 12 points and 5 assists per game. Purdue jumped from No. 24 to No. 5 in the national rankings in just one week. Smith cemented himself in the starter role and has yet to look back four years later. He became a primary facilitator next to Zach Edey and was a big reason why Edey was able to collect back-to-back National Player of the Year awards and take Purdue to its first Final Four in 44 years.
More questions arose once it was Zach Edey’s turn to take his talents to the NBA, after he was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Skeptics wondered whether or not Braden Smith could produce without the two-time NPOY beside him. Others wondered whether or not he could be effective once he became the focal point of every opponent’s scouting report. All of these concerns felt natural and fair — because we had yet to see what Braden Smith looked like without Zach Edey helping anchor the offense.
The 2024–25 season eventually arrived, and it’s safe to say the questions were answered — and the expectations were blown away.
Smith dominated in his junior campaign, averaging 16 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, earned consensus First Team All-American honors, and was a finalist for both the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy. It was an incredibly decorated season of individual accomplishments, all while maintaining elite on-court success. Purdue remained in the top 25 for the entire season and collected seven Quadrant 1 wins while making its third Sweet 16 in the last four years.
Entering Smith’s senior season, there is plenty on the table — both for him individually and for Purdue as a whole.
Smith aims to lead the Boilers to their second Final Four in three seasons, and the program’s first-ever National Championship.
As for individual accomplishments, Smith was both the preseason Big Ten and National Player of the Year, as well as a consensus First Team All-American. But looming large over the West Lafayette skies is Bobby Hurley and the 1,076 assists he recorded from 1989-93.
Braden Smith tallied 313 assists during his junior season to bring his career count up to 758 entering his final season. The Boilers played 36 games last season and if they reach that mark again this season, Smith would need to average 8.3 assists per game in order to be the new NCAA assists record holder.
Through Purdue’s 7–0 start this season, Smith is averaging 9.0 assists per game, bringing his career total to 821. At his current pace, he would break Hurley’s record in 29 games — right in line with the 36-game threshold from a year ago.
Over the weekend, Smith also moved into sole possession of second place on the Big Ten’s all-time assists leaderboard, trailing only Cassius Winston by 70 assists. He will soon become the conference’s all-time leader as he continues his pursuit of Hurley’s NCAA record.
This is a record that Smith has said he is not intentionally chasing—he simply lets the game come to him, as he should. But Purdue’s playstyle this year has been centered around Braden Smith facilitating for everyone because they have so many weapons. It almost feels inevitable that if Purdue lives up to its standards this season and makes a run in March, Smith is going to break this record—and then some.
Braden Smith has spent his entire basketball career being overlooked, underestimated and counted out. He now stands in position to potentially lead his team to a second Final Four in three seasons, win another Big Ten Player of the Year award, become an All-American for the second time and become Purdue’s third National Player of the Year winner in the last four seasons. Out of all the things Braden Smith has the opportunity to accomplish this season, there is only one that would make him the only player in NCAA history to do it—and that is to record his 1,077th career assist and stand alone at the mountaintop of passers.
Let us all witness greatness as Braden Smith chases history.
