ESPN ACCEPTED:  Purdue Boilermaker Basketball Rising star Braden Smith Makes History by Claiming the Coveted 2025 Oscar Robertson Trophy, Honoring Him As the Nation’s Top Collegiate Basketball Player with a Stellar Performance, He Also Received and….READMORE>>.

 

ESPN ACCEPTED:  Purdue Boilermaker Basketball Rising star Braden Smith Makes History by Claiming the Coveted 2025 Oscar Robertson Trophy, Honoring Him As the Nation’s Top Collegiate Basketball Player with a Stellar Performance, He Also Received and….READMORE>>….

 

 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Boilermakers point guard Braden Smith etched his name into the history books by becoming the first player in school history to win the prestigious Oscar Robertson Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top collegiate basketball player. The 2025 season proved to be a breakout year for the sophomore sensation, whose leadership, versatility, and statistical dominance made him a standout not only in the Big Ten but across the national landscape.

 

Smith’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Standing at just 6-foot-0, the Westfield, Indiana native silenced doubters by turning in one of the most complete seasons in recent NCAA memory. Averaging 17.8 points, 8.1 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, Smith was the engine behind Purdue’s high-powered offense. His court vision, clutch shooting, and gritty defense became the defining features of a Boilermaker squad that surged to a No. 1 national ranking for most of the season.

 

What made Smith’s performance truly exceptional was not just the numbers, but the context. Tasked with leading a team in transition after the departure of key seniors, Smith embraced the challenge with poise and maturity well beyond his years. His signature game came in a nationally televised win over Michigan State, where he recorded a 28-point, 12-assist double-double and nailed the game-winning three-pointer in overtime. That performance all but sealed his case for national honors.

 

The Oscar Robertson Trophy, presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA), honors the player deemed most outstanding in the nation, as voted by sportswriters across the country. Smith’s name now joins an elite list of former winners that includes legends like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and Zion Williamson.

 

But that’s not all for Smith. Alongside the Oscar Robertson Trophy, he also received the Bob Cousy Award, which honors the nation’s top point guard. It marks the first time in NCAA history that a Purdue player has claimed both honors in the same season. He is also a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award and is expected to be a top contender for the Naismith Trophy.

 

Head coach Matt Painter praised Smith’s development: “Braden is everything you want in a player—smart, tough, unselfish, and a relentless worker. He’s the heartbeat of this team, and this recognition is a reflection of his dedication and the respect he’s earned nationally.”

 

Smith’s rise has sparked excitement among Purdue fans, who are already dreaming of a deep NCAA Tournament run. With the Boilermakers poised to secure a top seed in March Madness, expectations are sky-high, and Smith’s leadership will be key to their success.

 

Whether he decides to enter the NBA Draft or return for another year, Braden Smith’s legacy at Purdue is already secure. He hasn’t just made history—he’s inspired a new generation of Boilermakers to believe in what’s possible

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