Purdue Guard Braden Smith Adds National Award to Collection of Accolades
In this story:
All season long, Purdue guard Braden Smith proved to the country that he was the best point guard in college basketball. On Saturday, the rising senior was recognized for his incredible 2024-25 campaign.
Smith was named the winner of the Bob Cousy Award, presented to the best point guard in the nation. The Westfield, Ind. native adds the national honor to his laundry list of accolades for the past season.
It's just the latest award for Smith, who was also named the Big Ten Player of the Year and was a first-team All-American selection. The guard is also one of four finalists for the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year award, along with Cooper Flagg (Duke), Johni Broome (Auburn) and Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida).
Braden Smith is your Point Guard of the Year 🙌
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 5, 2025
The @BoilerBall standout is the #CousyAward winner 🚂#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/EvGd9i6UcR
Smith concluded the season averaging 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game for the Boilermakers. His assist-per-game average ranked second nationally, behind only Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard.
Not only did Smith rake in a pile of awards and accolades this season, he also reached a number of impressive milestones. In his junior season, Smith surpasses 1,000 career points, 500 career rebounds and passed Bruce Parkinson to become Purdue's all-time assist leader.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Smith will be remembered as one of the greatest point guards in the history of Purdue basketball.
Smith helped guide Purdue to a 24-12 record during the 2024-25 season, which included a trip to the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Related stories on Purdue basketball
HEIDE HEADS TO TEXAS: Former Purdue forward Camden Heide is reportedly transferring to Texas. The sophomore averaged 4.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for the Boilermakers. CLICK HERE
PAINTER TALKS CLUFF ADDITION: Purdue made a huge splash in the transfer portal, landing 6-foot-11 center Oscar Cluff. Coach Matt Painter talked about adding a physical big man to the roster. CLICK HERE
PAINTER RESPONDS TO SMITH QUESTION: In a recent interview with the Field of 68, Purdue coach Matt Painter was asked about the status of All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year Braden Smith. CLICK HERE
EDWARDS SETS EUROLEAGUE RECORD: Former Purdue star guard Carsen Edwards broke two EuroLeague records in a single quarter on Thursday, lighting it up overseas for FC Bayern. CLICK HERE
Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
Follow SchutteDustin