Inside Story: Purdue Guard Braden Smith Reacts to News of Return of College Basketball Video Game

 

 

 

 

Inside Story: Purdue Guard Braden Smith Reacts to News of Return of College Basketball Video Game

 

When EA Sports teased the return of its college basketball video game series—marking the first release since NCAA Basketball 10 hit shelves in November 2009—the sports world buzzed. But for Purdue’s electric point guard Braden Smith, the reaction went beyond nostalgia. “Need it,” he posted on social media on June 30, 2025, replying to EA’s announcement, with just two words—but an avalanche of meaning .

 

Those two words reflect more than fan excitement; they encapsulate Smith’s holistic approach to athlete life. During the 2024–25 season, he averaged an impressive 37 minutes per game, pushing through fatigue, physical wear, and mental strain . In the same season, he revealed how he leaned on video games to unwind, recover, and even reclaim mental freshness. “It helped relax him and kept him off his feet,” Schutte reported .

 

And it’s easy to understand why. Smith isn’t just a phenomenal in-game leader—he’s a high-IQ competitor steeped in basketball culture. In March 2025, he became only the second NCAA player in history to tally 550+ points, 300+ assists, and 150+ rebounds in a single season—a feat matched only by Ja Morant . With a performance like that, mental recuperation is as essential as physical rest—and what better decompression than a virtual game that mirrors both skill and strategy?

 

Beyond escape, anticipation plays a role. Smith, entering his senior season in 2025–26, likely won’t even find the new EA college basketball title on shelves until the 2028–29 season . That doesn’t diminish his excitement—but it does inject a bittersweet note that underscores how ahead he is in his career, and how much he values having this tool in a future NBA environment.

 

Virtual basketball has proven utility, yet it also keeps players connected to the game they love. Smith, who has already etched his name as Purdue’s all‑time assist leader and 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year, knows that transitioning to life as a professional athlete will demand even more strategic balance. The promise of a college video game reboot offers a meaningful bridge: competition without risk, fun without pressure.

 

Purdue’s fan base quickly latched onto his reaction. While some expressed longing for the game itself, Smith communicated that longing from a place of authenticity—he needs downtime, recreation, and a digital court to command when his real one is off-limits.

 

“Need it” wasn’t just a fan’s exclamation. It was a player’s plea—a modern elite athlete acknowledging that mental recharge is as vital as physical rest, and that in today’s world, virtual and real hoops are intertwined.

 

As Smith prepares for what could be a final Purdue push—a season that already has preseason national title buzz behind him—his simple two-word response whispers to college athletes everywhere: yes, we work hard. But yes, we also deserve moments of joy and play. And once that game finally releases… expect to hear that same phrase echoed in dorm rooms, training rooms, and NBA locker rooms alike.

 

 

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Key Takeaways:

 

Braden’s reaction: “Need it” tweet underscores his eagerness and need for mental downtime .

 

Season context: Logging ~37 MPG, he leaned on gaming to rest .

 

Historic season: Second player in NCAA to hit 550/300/150 stat line .

 

Timing: Game release won’t align with his college years—likely 2028–29 , hinting at future NBA usage.