Purdue guard Braden Smith made history by breaking the Division I assist record held by former Duke star Bobby Hurley. This milestone occurred during the NCAA Tournament game against Queens, where Smith recorded his 1,077th career assist by assisting Trey Kaufman-Renn with 12:11 left in the first half.
Braden Smith’s Historic Achievement
Smith’s extraordinary accomplishment places him in a unique category in NCAA history. He is the only player to achieve at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 rebounds in his career. Additionally, he shares the distinction with Southern’s Avery Johnson for having at least 300 assists in two different seasons.
Purdue’s Coach Praises Smith
Purdue coach Matt Painter expressed his pride in Smith’s hard work and talent as a passer. “It is surreal,” Painter noted, celebrating the accomplishment during a break in the game. “He makes the game look easy at times,” he added.
Key Highlights from the Game
- Smith recorded his first assist early in the game on a pass to Oscar Cluff.
- His second assist brought the crowd to their feet as Purdue fans celebrated with a standing ovation.
- Despite some missed opportunities earlier in the game, Smith remained persistent and impactful.
Career Overview
Smith, who hails from Westfield High School near Indianapolis, was named Indiana Mr. Basketball during his senior year. Despite his impressive high school performance, Purdue was his only high-major scholarship offer at the time. Other schools like Indiana, Villanova, and Gonzaga later showed interest.
Since joining Purdue in 2022, Smith has been a pivotal player. Alongside teammate Fletcher Loyer, he has contributed to multiple Big Ten titles and a remarkable run to the national title game in 2024, where they finished as runners-up to UConn in Glendale, Arizona.
Acknowledgments and Future Prospects
This week, Smith earned 12 first-team votes for the AP All-America team, securing a spot on the second team. He was previously a first-team selection last year and an honorable mention for the current season. Smith’s journey reflects not only his talent but also a promising legacy as he aims to capstone his college career with a national title.
