His opportunity at Purdue arose after another player decommitted, allowing him to showcase his skills and quickly commit to the program.

Smith's commitment to Purdue came swiftly after receiving an offer, as he turned down other programs to join the Boilermakers.

Coming from a strong basketball family, with his mother and father both having played at Arkansas Tech, Smith's background has significantly influenced his journey.

Throughout his journey, Smith has expressed gratitude towards Bruce Parkinson for his support and belief in his talent.

As the NCAA Tournament kicks off, Braden Smith, a standout point guard from Purdue, is being hailed as one of the best players in the nation.

This season, Smith has averaged 16.0 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, earning him the title of Big Ten Player of the Year.

His impressive performance has also led to his selection on two All-America teams, positioning him as a pivotal player for Purdue's success in the tournament.

Purdue, under head coach Matt Painter, is making its 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance despite the loss of key players, including National Player of the Year Zach Edey.

Smith has started all 107 career games at Purdue, achieving significant milestones such as being the first Division I player to reach 1,300 points, 700 assists, and 500 rebounds by the end of his junior year.

Despite being undersized at 6 feet and 175 pounds, Smith excelled in high school basketball, becoming Purdue's all-time assists leader.

On February 28, 2025, he broke the school's all-time assist record, surpassing the long-standing achievement of former player Bruce Parkinson.

Smith leads the nation in individual assist rate at 44.4% and plays a crucial role in Purdue's efficient offense, contributing to their top-10 rankings in offensive efficiency and three-point shooting.