Purdue Guard Braden Smith Named Finalist for Major College Basketball Award

Purdue guard Braden Smith could add one more prestigious honor to his collection. The senior was named one of five finalists for the Wooden Award, presented to the best player in college basketball.

Smith finished his senior season at Purdue, averaging 14.3 points, 8.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. He broke Bobby Hurley's NCAA assist record and will leave college basketball as the best passer the game has ever seen, dishing out 1,103 assists during his four-year career with the Boilermakers.

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The complete list of finalists for the Wooden Award includes:

Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Cameron Boozer, Duke
A.J. Dybantsa, BYU
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Braden Smith, Purdue

Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) dribbles the ball. | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Purdue concluded the 2025-26 campaign with a 30-9 record. The regular season was a bit of a disappointment for seniors Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer and Smith. However, that trio responded in a big way in the postseason, leading the Boilermakers to a Big Ten Tournament title.

Smith made more history during the Big Ten Tournament, setting a single-game record in the tournament by dishing out 16 assists in a win over Northwestern in Purdue's first game. The senior guard also had a 14-point, 11-assist performance in the Championship Game win over Michigan.

As a result of his efforts, Smith was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten Tournament.

Purdue's season concluded in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 79-64 to Arizona.

Smith is a three-time All-Big Ten selection and a two-time All-American. He owns NCAA records for assists and minutes played. Without question, he's one of the best to ever wear a Purdue uniform.

Previous awards for Braden Smith

Along with All-Big Ten and All-American honors, Smith has also received plenty of individual recognition throughout his college career.

Smith was named the Big Ten Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season, marking a third-straight season in which a Boilermaker claimed the honor (Zach Edey in 2023 and 2024). He was also the winner of the Bob Cousy Award, presented to the best point guard in college basketball.

As a junior, Smith averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest.

In addition to being named a finalist for the Wooden Award, Smith was also named to the Wooden All-America Team. A total of 10 players received recognition, including:

Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Cameron Boozer, Duke
A.J. Dybantsa, BYU
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Braden Smith, Purdue
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Kingston Flemings, Houston
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
JT Toppin, Texas Tech

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