Braden Smith: The Unranked Player Breaking Big Ten Records

A Record, But Not the Ultimate Goal

Braden Smith, a senior guard from Purdue, has etched his name in the Big Ten history books by becoming the conference's all-time leader in assists. However, for Smith, this record is just another milestone on his journey. His main focus? Winning a national championship.

The Record-Breaking Performance

Smith achieved this feat during a game against Wisconsin, where he scored 14 points and dished out 12 assists. This pushed his career total to 893 assists, surpassing the previous record held by Cassius Winston.

What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Smith was not highly ranked coming out of high school. He wasn't even among the top 150 recruits in the nation.

Coach Matt Painter's Praise

Purdue coach Matt Painter has nothing but praise for Smith. He described him as special and elite, noting that Smith's passing skills are unmatched in college basketball. Painter also mentioned that it's surprising Smith didn't receive more offers from high-major programs, given his talent and winning mentality.

The Journey to the Top

Smith's journey to the top hasn't been easy. He started his college career with modest assist averages, but his skills have steadily improved each year. This season, he's leading all Division I players in assists, averaging 9.6 per game.

Leadership on Display

During the game against Wisconsin, Smith showed his leadership skills. Despite picking up his third foul early in the second half, Painter kept him on the court. Smith responded by helping Purdue go on a 10-0 run, which included the assist that broke the Big Ten record.

A Competitive Spirit

Smith's competitive spirit was evident after the game. When asked about the fans chanting his name, he focused on those who weren't cheering for him. He humorously pointed out the irony of being called "too small" while the entire opposing arena was chanting his name.

The Ultimate Goal

Smith's ultimate goal is to break the Division I career assists record, which has stood for three decades. He's currently 183 assists away from that record, with 17 regular-season games and the postseason left to play.