Helena Frye
Purdue Boilermakers' Braden Smith is a basketball star. The 6-foot point guard is a consensus first-team All-American who has been making waves in college basketball with his impressive assists and scoring record. Smith, who is the son of two college basketball players, has been a starter since his freshman year and has since broken multiple records, including the Purdue single-season assist record. He has also led the nation in total assists and was named an Honorable Mention All-American. With his decision to return to Purdue for his senior season, Smith is poised to make an even bigger impact on the court and cement his legacy as one of the sport's rising stars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Braden Smith |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Height | 6-foot |
| School | Purdue |
| Parents | Ginny and Dustin Smith |
| Major | Exploratory Studies |
| Birthdate | July 25, 2003 |
| Awards | Bob Cousy Award, First Team All-Big Ten, First Team All-American |
| Opponents | Illinois, Gonzaga, Milwaukee, Marquette, Florida State, Penn State, Ohio State, Minnesota |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Braden Smith's career at Westfield High School
Standing at 5'10" and weighing 165 pounds, Braden Smith is a point guard from Westfield, Indiana, who attended Westfield High School. Basketball is in Smith's blood, with both his parents having played at the collegiate level. His father set records, and his mother was a Miss Basketball. This family legacy has instilled a strong work ethic in Smith, who strives to make those around him better.
Smith's talent was recognised early on, and he was invited to play in a post-season high school event. He has also participated in several tournaments, showcasing his skills and contributing to his team's success. In one tournament, Smith averaged 23 points and 5 assists per game, helping his team secure the victory.
During his time at Westfield High School, Smith set ambitious goals for himself, including breaking the school record for assists in a game and a season. He has worked tirelessly to improve his skills, spending countless hours in the gym. Smith's dedication and hard work have paid off, as he has received interest from colleges for recruitment.
Smith's impressive performance in high school basketball has earned him recognition from colleges across the nation. He has received offers from Appalachian State, Belmont, Montana, North Texas, and Toledo. With his exceptional skills and unwavering dedication, Smith is well on his way to achieving his dream of playing basketball at the highest level.
Inflating Basketballs: Using a Foot Pump Efficiently
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Smith's record-breaking assists for Purdue
Purdue's Braden Smith is a star guard with a talent for assists. In his sophomore season, Smith broke the Purdue single-season assist record with his 208th assist, surpassing a record that had stood since 1975. He ended that season by leading the nation in total assists and was named an Honorable Mention All-American.
Smith's assist numbers continued to climb in his junior season, where he had 13 games with 10 or more assists. Across his first three seasons, he averaged 6.9 assists per game, with a career-best of 8.7 per game in the 2024-25 season. In a game against Gonzaga, Smith had 15 assists, the most by a Purdue player in a tournament game.
Smith's assist numbers are all the more impressive when put into historical context. He is the only player in NCAA history with 1,300 points, 700 assists, and 500 rebounds in his first three seasons. He also holds the record for the most 20-point, 10-assist games by a Purdue player in a single season, with four.
Smith's passing ability has been a key factor in Purdue's success during his time there. The team has reached the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons, advancing to at least the Sweet Sixteen twice.
Og's Kristin Revelation: A Secret Unveiled on Basketball Wives
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Smith's junior season at Purdue
Braden Smith's junior season at Purdue was a standout year for the young athlete. Committing to Purdue in 2021, Smith had proven himself as a talented player from an early age, and his junior season saw a continuation of this success.
During his junior year, Smith averaged an impressive 22.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. He also shot over 45% from a 3-point range, a skill that set him apart from other players. This performance led to him being recognised as the first Division I recruit in Westfield High School boys' basketball history.
Smith's junior season also saw him lead Westfield to an 18-5 record and a sectional loss to the eventual state champions, Carmel, and future teammate Brian Waddell. This performance demonstrated Smith's leadership qualities and his ability to guide his team to success.
By the end of his junior season, Smith had accumulated over 1,200 points in his career, a remarkable achievement. His performance and dedication to the sport resulted in him being named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team and later, as a junior, he was recognised as the Big Ten's Player of the Year.
Big 12 Basketball: Schedule Release Anticipation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Smith's senior season at Purdue
In his senior year at Purdue, Braden Smith continued his impressive college basketball career. He had committed to Purdue in 2021, choosing the Boilermakers over offers from Appalachian State, Belmont, Montana, North Texas, and Toledo.
Smith entered his senior season with high expectations, needing just 125 points and 242 assists to become the first player in NCAA history with 1,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 rebounds for his career. He had already achieved notable feats, such as leading Westfield to its first sectional title in 105 years and being named Indiana's Mr. Basketball before joining Purdue.
Smith's senior season saw him maintain his strong form and build upon his previous accomplishments. He averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game, showcasing his all-around ability. Smith's impact extended beyond the stats, as he consistently created opportunities for his teammates and made crucial plays.
One of the highlights of Smith's senior season was his performance against Gonzaga. In that game, he recorded 14 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, contributing to a Purdue victory. Smith's playmaking abilities were on full display, as he consistently set up his teammates and controlled the pace of the game.
DII Basketball Tournament: Where and When?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Smith's career NBA predictions
Smith's NBA Career Predictions
Braden Smith, the Purdue Boilermakers' star guard, has had a stellar college basketball career so far. With impressive stats and a consensus first-team All-American honour under his belt, what does the future hold for him in the NBA?
Smith's strengths lie in his court vision and passing abilities, as evidenced by his impressive assist record. He led the nation in total assists during his sophomore season and became the only player in NCAA history with 1,300 points, 700 assists, and 500 rebounds in his first three seasons. This puts him in an elite category of playmakers with the potential to be a primary facilitator for any NBA team.
Smith's scoring abilities are also noteworthy, with a career-high 34 points in a single game. While his scoring average might not be as eye-catching as some other prospects, his ability to get hot from the 3-point line and his excellent free-throw shooting make him a versatile offensive threat. His senior season stats, averaging 15.8 points per game, show that he can take on a larger scoring load when needed.
Standing at 6 feet tall, Smith's physical attributes might be considered a limitation for the NBA. However, his height hasn't stopped him from dominating in college basketball, and his quickness and court awareness make up for any perceived size disadvantage.
With his impressive court vision, scoring abilities, and work ethic, Smith has the potential to be a successful NBA player. He could be a valuable asset to any franchise, either as a starter or a sixth man providing an instant impact off the bench. While it's difficult to predict the exact trajectory of his career, Smith has the skills and mindset to make a significant impact in the NBA.
Smith's decision to return to Purdue for his senior season showcases his dedication to improvement and his commitment to his team. This extra year of development could be pivotal in solidifying his draft stock and preparing him for the challenges of the NBA.
Super Bowl and Zero Scores: Basketball's Unique History
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Will Braden is a guard.
Will Braden plays for the Purdue Boilermakers.
Will Braden's highest number of assists in a single game is 15, achieved in Purdue's victory against Gonzaga.
Will Braden's highest number of points in a single game is 34, achieved against Toledo.
