2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster
Jersey Number 3
Braden Smith
- Position:
- Guard
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 170
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- Westfield, Ind.
- High School:
- Westfield
Bio
• Career Stats / Game-by-Game Stats
2023-24
• Smith had a sensational sophomore season, cementing himself as one of the top points in the country, earning first-team All-Big Ten and Honorable Mention All-America accolades.
• Was named one of five finalists for the Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard.
• Averaged 12.0 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while playing a school-record 1,327 minutes and starting all 39 games.
• Set a Purdue and Big Ten-record with 292 assists on the season and was the only player in NCAA history to have at least 450 points, 290 assists and 250 rebounds in a season.
• His 292 assists are the third most by a freshman or sophomore in NCAA history (North Carolina's Kendall Marshall in 2012 -- 351; Murray State's Ja Morant in 2019 -- 331).
• Recorded a school-record 10 games or 10 or more assists, the most for a Big Ten player in the last 15 years.
• Also recorded eight double-doubles featuring points and assists, the second most in the country in 2023-24.
• Had 11 points and 16 assists in a win over Northwestern, accounting for 51 of Purdue's 105 points. The 16 assists were the second most in school history and equaled the most by a Big Ten player in the last 15 years.
• In the NCAA Tournament win over Gonzaga, recorded 14 points, 15 assists and 8 rebounds, one of just three games with those marks in the NCAA Tournament in tournament history (Murray State's Ja Morant, Indiana's Keith Smart). Smith's performance was the only one in the Regional round.
• The 15 assists equaled the most by a Big Ten player in NCAA Tournament history, and were the second most in a Regional-round game in NCAA Tournament history.
• Named to the All-Midwest Region team after averaging 9.8 points, 9.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds in the tournament wins over Grambling, Utah State, Gonzaga and Tennessee.
• Became the second player in NCAA Tournament history (Kansas' Cedric Hunter) to have at least 10 points and 10 assists and no turnovers when he had 11 points and 10 assists with no turnovers in the win over Grambling.
• Is one of five players in NCAA history to have at least 800 points, 440 assists and 370 rebounds through the end of their sophomore season (Ja Morant, Nick Calathes, D.J. Cooper, Magic Johnson).
• His 445 assists are already eighth on Purdue's career list, needing just 245 assists for the career record.
• Narrowly missed triple-doubles against Morehead State (11 pts, 11 asts, 8 rebs), Texas Southern (19 pts, 10 asts, 9 rebs), Michigan (11 pts, 10 asts, 7 rebs), Michigan (11 pts, 11 asts, 8 rebs), Wisconsin (10 pts, 10 asts, 8 rebs) and Gonzaga (14 pts, 15 asts, 8 rebs).
• Had 12 points and 8 assists in the National Championship game against Connecticut, the seventh player (third this century) in NCAA title-game history to have at least 12 points and 8 assists in the title game (Ty Jerome, Derrick Rose, Bobby Hurley, Rumeal Robinson, Alvin Franklin, Greg Kelser).
2022-23
• Smith had an outstanding rookie campaign, being named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team and honorable mention All-Big Ten.
• Smith averaged 9.7 points, 4.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 30.3 minutes per game, starting all 35 contests for the Boilermakers.
• Among Purdue freshmen all-time, Smith ranked 11th in points (340), 10th in rebounds (147), ninth in 3-pointers made (38), fourth in free throws made (92), first in free throw percentage (.868), first in assists (153), second in assist / turnover ratio (2.21), fourth in steals (43), first in games started (35) and second in minutes played (1,061).
• Became the third freshman in Big Ten history to score at least 340 points with 150 assists and 140 rebounds in a season (Michigan State's Magic Johnson; Ohio State's DeAngelo Russell).
• Was one of two freshmen nationally (Arkansas' Anthony Black) to average at least 9.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG during the 2022-23 season. He is just one of three Purdue players in school history in any class to do so (Bruce Parkinson 3x, Troy Lewis).
• Smith's 153 assists were the eighth most by a Big Ten freshman in league history and the most for any Purdue player since Porter Roberts in 1996 (158).
• Scored in double-figures in 15 games, including 20 or more points against Marquette (20) and Iowa (24).
• Tallied a double-double against Davidson in the Indy Classic (10 points, 12 rebounds).
• Dished out at least six assists 11 times, including nine against Penn State in a home victory.
• Set a freshman-school record with seven steals (second most in school history in any class) in the season opener against Milwaukee.
• Neared a triple-double against Florida State (13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists).
• In three games against Penn State, averaged 8.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.7 assists (23 assists vs. 2 turnovers).
• Had big games against Ohio State, averaging 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists, including 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
• Recorded 14 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds in the win over Gonzaga in Portland.
• Had 19 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds in a road win at Minnesota.
• Dished out at least five assists in each of his final four games (5.8 APG).
HIGH SCHOOL
• Smith became the 13th recipient of Indiana's Mr. Basketball to play at Purdue and with Caleb Furst winning the award in 2021, Purdue recruits have now won consecutive Indiana Mr. Basketball for the first time in over 50 years (1966 - Rick Mount; 1965 - Billy Keller; 1964 – Dennis Brady).
• Smith ended his career as Westfield's all-time leader in points (1,629) and assists (453) and led Westfield to its first sectional title in 105 years.
• For his senior season season, Smith averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game. During his career, he made 281 career 3-pointers at a 42.8 percent clip.
• In three sectional games, Smith averaged 24.3 points, 8.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 28-of-40 (.700) from the field and 13-of-21 (.619) from 3-point range.
• Committed to Purdue on April 29, 2021, less than a week after receiving an offer from Painter.
• As a junior, Smith led Westfield to an 18-5 record and a sectional loss to the eventual state champs, Carmel, and future teammate Brian Waddell.
• Purdue was the first high-major program to offer, but Gonzaga, Villanova, Oregon and Indiana were highly interested before he committed.
• Is the first Division I recruit in Westfield High School boys' basketball history.
• As a junior, Smith averaged 22.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He shot over 45 percent from 3-point range and has scored more than 1,200 points in his career.
PERSONAL
• Born July 25, 2003.
• Majoring in exploratory studies.
• Son of Dustin and Ginny Smith.
• Mother, Ginny, was Arkansas' Miss Basketball in 1997 and was Westfield's girls high school coach from 2016-22.
• Father, Dustin, is a coach with Grand Park Premier (AAU).
2023-24
• Smith had a sensational sophomore season, cementing himself as one of the top points in the country, earning first-team All-Big Ten and Honorable Mention All-America accolades.
• Was named one of five finalists for the Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard.
• Averaged 12.0 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while playing a school-record 1,327 minutes and starting all 39 games.
• Set a Purdue and Big Ten-record with 292 assists on the season and was the only player in NCAA history to have at least 450 points, 290 assists and 250 rebounds in a season.
• His 292 assists are the third most by a freshman or sophomore in NCAA history (North Carolina's Kendall Marshall in 2012 -- 351; Murray State's Ja Morant in 2019 -- 331).
• Recorded a school-record 10 games or 10 or more assists, the most for a Big Ten player in the last 15 years.
• Also recorded eight double-doubles featuring points and assists, the second most in the country in 2023-24.
• Had 11 points and 16 assists in a win over Northwestern, accounting for 51 of Purdue's 105 points. The 16 assists were the second most in school history and equaled the most by a Big Ten player in the last 15 years.
• In the NCAA Tournament win over Gonzaga, recorded 14 points, 15 assists and 8 rebounds, one of just three games with those marks in the NCAA Tournament in tournament history (Murray State's Ja Morant, Indiana's Keith Smart). Smith's performance was the only one in the Regional round.
• The 15 assists equaled the most by a Big Ten player in NCAA Tournament history, and were the second most in a Regional-round game in NCAA Tournament history.
• Named to the All-Midwest Region team after averaging 9.8 points, 9.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds in the tournament wins over Grambling, Utah State, Gonzaga and Tennessee.
• Became the second player in NCAA Tournament history (Kansas' Cedric Hunter) to have at least 10 points and 10 assists and no turnovers when he had 11 points and 10 assists with no turnovers in the win over Grambling.
• Is one of five players in NCAA history to have at least 800 points, 440 assists and 370 rebounds through the end of their sophomore season (Ja Morant, Nick Calathes, D.J. Cooper, Magic Johnson).
• His 445 assists are already eighth on Purdue's career list, needing just 245 assists for the career record.
• Narrowly missed triple-doubles against Morehead State (11 pts, 11 asts, 8 rebs), Texas Southern (19 pts, 10 asts, 9 rebs), Michigan (11 pts, 10 asts, 7 rebs), Michigan (11 pts, 11 asts, 8 rebs), Wisconsin (10 pts, 10 asts, 8 rebs) and Gonzaga (14 pts, 15 asts, 8 rebs).
• Had 12 points and 8 assists in the National Championship game against Connecticut, the seventh player (third this century) in NCAA title-game history to have at least 12 points and 8 assists in the title game (Ty Jerome, Derrick Rose, Bobby Hurley, Rumeal Robinson, Alvin Franklin, Greg Kelser).
2022-23
• Smith had an outstanding rookie campaign, being named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team and honorable mention All-Big Ten.
• Smith averaged 9.7 points, 4.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 30.3 minutes per game, starting all 35 contests for the Boilermakers.
• Among Purdue freshmen all-time, Smith ranked 11th in points (340), 10th in rebounds (147), ninth in 3-pointers made (38), fourth in free throws made (92), first in free throw percentage (.868), first in assists (153), second in assist / turnover ratio (2.21), fourth in steals (43), first in games started (35) and second in minutes played (1,061).
• Became the third freshman in Big Ten history to score at least 340 points with 150 assists and 140 rebounds in a season (Michigan State's Magic Johnson; Ohio State's DeAngelo Russell).
• Was one of two freshmen nationally (Arkansas' Anthony Black) to average at least 9.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG during the 2022-23 season. He is just one of three Purdue players in school history in any class to do so (Bruce Parkinson 3x, Troy Lewis).
• Smith's 153 assists were the eighth most by a Big Ten freshman in league history and the most for any Purdue player since Porter Roberts in 1996 (158).
• Scored in double-figures in 15 games, including 20 or more points against Marquette (20) and Iowa (24).
• Tallied a double-double against Davidson in the Indy Classic (10 points, 12 rebounds).
• Dished out at least six assists 11 times, including nine against Penn State in a home victory.
• Set a freshman-school record with seven steals (second most in school history in any class) in the season opener against Milwaukee.
• Neared a triple-double against Florida State (13 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists).
• In three games against Penn State, averaged 8.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.7 assists (23 assists vs. 2 turnovers).
• Had big games against Ohio State, averaging 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists, including 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
• Recorded 14 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds in the win over Gonzaga in Portland.
• Had 19 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds in a road win at Minnesota.
• Dished out at least five assists in each of his final four games (5.8 APG).
HIGH SCHOOL
• Smith became the 13th recipient of Indiana's Mr. Basketball to play at Purdue and with Caleb Furst winning the award in 2021, Purdue recruits have now won consecutive Indiana Mr. Basketball for the first time in over 50 years (1966 - Rick Mount; 1965 - Billy Keller; 1964 – Dennis Brady).
• Smith ended his career as Westfield's all-time leader in points (1,629) and assists (453) and led Westfield to its first sectional title in 105 years.
• For his senior season season, Smith averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game. During his career, he made 281 career 3-pointers at a 42.8 percent clip.
• In three sectional games, Smith averaged 24.3 points, 8.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 28-of-40 (.700) from the field and 13-of-21 (.619) from 3-point range.
• Committed to Purdue on April 29, 2021, less than a week after receiving an offer from Painter.
• As a junior, Smith led Westfield to an 18-5 record and a sectional loss to the eventual state champs, Carmel, and future teammate Brian Waddell.
• Purdue was the first high-major program to offer, but Gonzaga, Villanova, Oregon and Indiana were highly interested before he committed.
• Is the first Division I recruit in Westfield High School boys' basketball history.
• As a junior, Smith averaged 22.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He shot over 45 percent from 3-point range and has scored more than 1,200 points in his career.
PERSONAL
• Born July 25, 2003.
• Majoring in exploratory studies.
• Son of Dustin and Ginny Smith.
• Mother, Ginny, was Arkansas' Miss Basketball in 1997 and was Westfield's girls high school coach from 2016-22.
• Father, Dustin, is a coach with Grand Park Premier (AAU).
