When talking about the legends who have come through the Purdue Boilermakers basketball program, that conversation wouldn’t be complete without including Braden Smith.
Smith, a native of Indiana, spent all four seasons at Purdue and never missed a start. He started all 148 games he played in and, during this year’s NCAA Tournament, became the all-time leader in assists among Division I men’s basketball players, cementing his legacy in college basketball history.
Unfortunately, his collegiate career officially came to a close when the Boilermakers fell to the Arizona Wildcats, 79–64, on Saturday night in the Elite Eight. Smith recorded 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in the game.
Following the loss, the NCAA — as they do with many seniors who complete historic collegiate careers — issued a parting message to the Purdue standout:
“An absolute LEGEND,” the NCAA wrote. “Thank you, Braden Smith.”
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Fans echoed that sentiment, sending plenty of praise in Smith’s direction:
“No one recruited you, and you ended up the all-time assist leader and took us to our first championship in 50 years. Purdue,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Best passer I’ve ever seen.”
“Thank you, Braden Smith,” another fan said.
“Legend,” one more commented.
Smith averaged 14.3 points and 8.9 assists this season for the Boilermakers, and over the course of his career with the program, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
He earned Big Ten All-American honors multiple times, was named the 2024–25 Big Ten Player of the Year, became a two-time consensus All-American, and was named this year’s Big Ten Tournament MVP after leading Purdue to a conference title.
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