The nation’s best point guard will lead one of the nation’s best teams next season
Braden Smith announced via his Instagram that he will return for his senior season for the Purdue Boilermakers. The Westfield, IN native won the Bob Cousy Award for the nation’s best point guard while being named a First Team All American, First Team All B1G, and the B1G’s Player of the Year as he led the Boilers within one possession of a Sweet 16 upset of number one seeded Houston. He assisted on every single made basket in the second half and finished with 15 assists in that Sweet 16 game.
@3bradensmith, the likely preseason National and B1G Player of the Year announced he will back for @BoilerBall.
The Westfield, IN native will look to cement his legacy as the B1G’s greatest point guard in a season Purdue will be a favorite to return to the Final Four. pic.twitter.com/EjsKGLAOwa
— Jed Wilkinson (@PurdueWilkie) April 14, 2025
Smith will have the opportunity to become of the all time great players in Purdue and B1G history as he chases the NCAA assists record currently held by Bobby Hurley. Smith will need to get 319 next season, a figure not out of the question with him grabbing 314 this past season. Smith averaged a B1G single season record of 8.7 assists per game while also averaging 15.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Smith will lead a program that may enter the season ranked #1 alongside fellow seniors Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn. The Boilers also added Oscar Cluff, one of the best portal additions this off season, along with leading with highly regarded Israeli guard Omer Mayer.