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Braden Smith announces return for senior season at Purdue

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater•04/15/25•

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Purdue PG Braden Smith
Trevor Ruszkowski | Imagn Images

Braden Smith has been worth keeping an eye on this offseason as far as a decision on his future in basketball. He’s staying right where he is, though, for another season in West Lafayette.

Smith announced his return for a senior season at Purdue in a post on social media on Monday. The Boilermakers have posted that news as well with their starting point guard officially back for next season.

“Running it back one last time,” Smith wrote for the graphic. “Purdue has given me everything: memories, challenges, growth, and a family. There’s still more to prove, more to accomplish, and more moments to create with my brothers.”

“Much love to my guys and Boiler Nation! Let’s make this next year unforgettable!” Smith wrote with a caption of the post being a handshake.

There had been some speculation on Smith coming out of his junior season, including option to enter either the NBA Draft or the NCAA Transfer Portal. Instead, he has decided to stay put for his final season with Purdue.

Smith has made 110 starts over the past three seasons for Purdue. He has, in that career, averaged 12.5 points (43.5% FG, 39.4% 3PT), 6.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game as their leader in assists and steals in each of his three years.

That includes this past season where, as a junior, Smith became the Boilermakers’ best player. He posted 15.7 points (42.8% FG, 38.1% PT on 2.3 made triples), 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game this year, which had him second nationally in assists as well as amongst the best in the country in steals. With that, Smith won Big Ten Player of the Year, was All-Big Ten First Team for the second straight year, was the nation’s best point guard as the recipient of the Bob Cousy Award, and was a First Team Consensus All-American.

Smith has been a big part of the program’s success, along with names like Zach Edey and Fletcher Loyer, over the past three seasons. Purdue is 87-23 (.791) overall in his career there with three titles in the Big Ten and three berths at a No. 4 seed or better in the NCAA Tournament. March Madness didn’t go well for them in 2023 but they made it to the national championship, with a runner-up finish to UConn, in 2024 and, with Smith leading them this year, went to the Sweet 16, with a loss to this year’s runner-up in Houston, in 2025.

Smith has been one of the best players, let alone just point guards, in college basketball the past few seasons. He now makes the case as one of the sport’s best returning players with Purdue set to contend again next year with this news.

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