Purdue basketball point guard Braden Smith previews Arizona game
The NCAA’s all-time assists leader shared how much continuity and learning under someone whose played in the Boilermakers’ system has helped him.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Add another record for Braden Smith in his storybook Purdue basketball career.
Smith is the new ironman of four-year men’s college basketball players.
Coming into Saturday, March 28’s Elite Eight game against Arizona, Smith had played 5,032 career minutes, behind only Richmond’s Kevin Anderson (5,041) and LaSalle’s Lionel Simmons (5,045), according to research by Purdue sports information director Chris Forman.
Smith played 15 minutes in the first half against Arizona on Saturday.
Smith averaged more than 30 minutes per game in each of his four seasons, including a career-high 37 per game during the 2024-25 season.
Smith also passed Carsen Edwards for eighth on Purdue’s career scoring list with his first basket. He came into the game tied with JaJuan Johnson for ninth, having scored 1,919 career points. Smith entered the game with an NCAA record 1,096 career assists.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
