The Big Ten honored the star junior.
When you play with a guy like Zach Edey, a two time national player of the year, it’s easy to feel, and actually become, overlooked. Not that any Purdue fan has overlooked Braden Smith since that first moment two seasons ago, but there are more than just Purdue fans out there. Throughout his first two seasons in college basketball Braden Smith had never won the Big Ten conference’s player of the week honor. Astounding when you think about it. Well, that was finally rectified today when after leading Purdue to a 2-0 week of conference games, including one on the road, Braden Smith can finally add Big Ten Player of the Week to his resume.
First career Big Ten POTW honor for Braden Smith.
: 3-0 record
: 25.0 PPG
: 9.7 APG
: 5.3 RPG
: 27-55 FGs
: 14-32 3Ps
: 8-9 FTs
: 4.14 A/TO Ratio
: Two Double-Doubles pic.twitter.com/6C5NIT2PxX— Purdue Men’s Basketball (@BoilerBall) January 6, 2025
It’s hard to even pick one thing that stands out about his stat line over the past two games. The 25 ppg really pops off that tweet though because that’s not been what Braden Smith has done historically for this team. He’s been much more likely to score 10-15 and dish out 10-12 assists. Now though? He’s doing both. Along with those 25 ppg he averaged 9.7 assists per game. Just short of averaging a double double. He’s already improved his rebounding over this two game span which is an aspect that everyone on Purdue could stand to improve upon right now.
14-32 from three is also a very solid 43% (44% if you want to round up). The man has done it all over the past week, and if you include the Toledo game he continues to look like a top player in the nation. In that one he scored 34 points and dished out 12 assists. The Purdue junior has been on a tear as of late and he is showing no signs of stopping. Purdue will need him on his A game all season long but especially as Big Ten season continues on Thursday at Rutgers.