Braden Smith Shatters Division I Assist Record in NCAA Tournament Opener

Purdue's senior guard Braden Smith etched his name into college basketball history, surpassing Bobby Hurley's career assist record during the Boilermakers' dominant first-round NCAA Tournament victory.

Record-Breaking Performance Ignites Tournament Run

On Friday night, Purdue guard Braden Smith made history, breaking former Duke star Bobby Hurley’s Division I career assist record. Smith achieved the milestone with his second assist of the game and 1,077th of his career, finding teammate Trey Kaufman-Renn for a score with 12:11 remaining in the first half of the Boilermakers’ NCAA Tournament game against No. 15 seed Queens.

Smith’s record-breaking assist contributed to a dominant performance by second-seeded Purdue, who routed the Royals 104-71. The senior guard delivered a stellar individual outing, finishing with 26 points and eight assists in the victory.

The pivotal assist unfolded after an early feed to Oscar Cluff secured Smith's first assist of the night. The record-breaking pass, however, took a moment to materialize, following missed attempts by Fletcher Loyer on an open 3-pointer and Kaufman-Renn on a wide-open jumper. When Kaufman-Renn finally converted off Smith’s feed, the senior guard subtly raised a finger in the air amidst a standing ovation from a Purdue-heavy crowd.

"The crowd went crazy and I thought it was for my Euro step," Kaufman-Renn quipped later, "but I guess it wasn't."

A Career Defined by Milestones and Trust

Smith’s record-breaking assist is the latest in a career marked by exceptional playmaking and statistical milestones. He already stands as the only player in NCAA history to accumulate at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 career rebounds. Additionally, Smith joins Southern’s Avery Johnson as one of only two players to record at least 300 assists in two different seasons.

His consistent excellence has earned him significant recognition throughout his collegiate career. This week, Smith garnered 12 first-team votes for AP All-America, landing him on the second team for the 2023-24 season. He was also a first-team selection for the 2022-23 season.

Just last weekend, Smith set the Big Ten Tournament assists record, contributing significantly to Purdue’s championship victory over Michigan. Boilermakers coach Matt Painter lauded Smith's impact, stating, "He’s an unbelievable passer, man. He makes the game look easy at times." Painter emphasized the critical role players like Smith play: "Players make things happen."

Reflecting on his record-breaking achievement, Smith maintained a humble perspective. "I don’t think it’s really set in, because to me, again, it’s my job. It’s what I’m supposed to do," Smith commented. "You’re supposed to get guys the ball to go score, and obviously I have a lot of great people around me who can do that." He added, "People trust me with the ball in my hands, and my teammates trust me, and the coaching staff trusts me." Teammates like Kaufman-Renn, who scored 25 points in the record-setting game, and Loyer, with 14 points, exemplify the talent surrounding Smith.

From Overlooked Recruit to National Contender

Despite earning Indiana Mr. Basketball honors as a senior at Westfield High School, Braden Smith's path to a collegiate powerhouse was not without its hurdles. Most of his scholarship offers came from mid-major programs such as Appalachian State, Belmont, and Montana. Purdue stood as his sole high-major offer at the time of his commitment, though other prominent schools like Indiana, Villanova, and Gonzaga began to show interest later.

Smith, alongside fellow Indiana native Fletcher Loyer, arrived on Purdue’s campus in 2022 and immediately became fixtures in Coach Painter’s lineup. By the tip-off against Queens, they had accumulated 146 starts together. Their tenure has been instrumental in Purdue's recent successes, which include securing multiple Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles. This past season, Smith and Loyer were key components of the Purdue squad that reached the 2024 national title game, ultimately finishing as runner-up to UConn in Glendale, Arizona—the second such finish in school history for the Boilermakers. While Purdue still seeks its first national title, Smith's decorated career continues to contribute to the program's legacy.

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