Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) jukes Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Cade Tyson (10) during the second half at Mackey Arena on December 10, 2025.Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Braden Smith’s Accolades List Keeps Expanding

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Jon Stillman | Last updated Dec 18, 2025 1:24 PM ET

Besides death and taxes, one thing is for certain: Braden Smith will eventually become part of the “Mount Rushmore” of Purdue Boilermaker basketball legends.

When he finally plays his last game in a Purdue uniform this spring, his name will be compared with former Boiler greats like Rick Mount, Glenn Robinson, and Zach Edey.

Like those mentioned, the senior Smith achieved first-team All-American status last season, but his quest for more is far from over. He wants his journey to end with something no other Purdue player has ever experienced: winning a national championship.

With this season barely one-third over, Smith has plenty of time to add to his already-gaudy list of personal accomplishments, as well as steer his team to March glory. Against Minnesota earlier this month, he achieved a milestone that fans of the Big 10 conference have never seen. The scary part is that he has almost three months to add to it.

Smith Makes Big 10 History Against Minnesota

Against Minnesota on December 10, Smith reached a lofty landmark in the Big 10 annals. He scored his 1,500th career point during that game, and he is now the first player in the history of the conference to record 1,500 points, 800 assists, and 500 rebounds in his career.

This is just another notable feat in an already unbelievably successful career for Smith. Along with earning All-American status, he was the conference player of the year as well as the Bob Cousy Award recipient, given to the nation’s best point guard, last season.

After the win against the Golden Gophers, Smith was asked what this accomplishment meant to him.

“You’re not going to like it, but nothing,” he said.

While his accumulated honors are all well and good, he has professed his desire for the ultimate prize at the end of his Boilermaker career.

“It (earning individual honors) doesn’t matter a lot to me. Preseason awards, I said it this time last year, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters is at the end of the year. What matters to me is being the team that wins a national championship at Purdue. Memories of winning a national championship are more important than that.”

Ever the humble and consummate teammate, one individual statistical hurdle remains on the horizon, one that has stood for 33 years.

The All-Time NCAA Assists Record Is In Smith’s Sights

Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) passes the ball while Evansville Purple Aces guard Kaia Berridge (9) defends in the second half at Mackey Arena on November 4, 2025.Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Duke great Bobby Hurley has held the NCAA record for career assists since his graduation in 1993. His total of 1,076 helpers has stood the test of time against decades of challengers at the point guard position.

That 33-year mark is in trouble.

Smith currently stands in 28th place on the all-time list with 859 assists and is 217 behind Hurley. He could climb three spots over the course of the next two games, which are against Auburn on Saturday and Kent State on December 29.

Next to fall will be Isaiah Stevens of Colorado State, who totaled 863 assists from 2020 to 2024. After that, Smith will pass Dajuan Harris, who played for Kansas from 2021 to 2025 and handed out 865 dimes. He may topple Delaware’s Taurance Chisholm‘s mark of 877 assists before New Year’s Day.

Michigan State’s Cassius Winston holds the Big 10 record at 890, leaving Smith just 31 shy of the conference mark.

End Of My Braden Smith Rant: The Best Is Yet To Come

Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) penetrates the lane against Alabama at Coleman Coliseum on November 13, 2025. Purdue defeated Alabama 87-80.Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If Smith continues to average the 9.2 assists per game he is currently producing, he would need around 25 more games to eclipse Hurley’s long-standing achievement. With 20 games remaining in the regular season, Purdue would have to make some noise in the Big 10 and NCAA tournaments to garner more opportunities for Smith to approach immortality.

With the way Purdue is playing thus far, odds are he will get that chance.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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