Purdue basketball standout Braden Smith is closing the chapter on his collegiate career. Despite a recent injunction that opened the door for a fifth year of eligibility, Smith is not looking to return to the NCAA.
Smith holds a high standing in the basketball world as the NCAA all-time leader in assists with 1,103 to his name. He stands alone in history as the only player to tally at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 rebounds across four seasons. His work on the court earned him recognition as a two-time All-American and a record-setting ironman with 5,067 career minutes played.
The Indiana Pacers drafted Smith in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. While he remains unsigned, reports confirm his delay in signing a rookie contract is linked to financial factors within the Pacers organization rather than any interest in returning to Purdue.
With Smith moving on to professional basketball, the Purdue roster is shifting its focus. Coach Matt Painter now shifts his attention to developing the next wave of talent, including sophomore Omer Mayer and incoming freshman Luke Ertel, to manage the point guard position for the upcoming season.