Braden Smith is running it back. The Purdue guard announced via social media on Monday that he will return to West Lafayette for his senior season with the Boilermakers.
“Running it back one last time,” Smith wrote. “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.”
Can you hear that deep sigh of relief coming out of West Lafayette? Although it was expected that Smith would return to Purdue for the 2024-25 season, his announcement makes it official that he’ll be back in the black and gold for one more year.
Smith is coming off a remarkable year in 2024-25. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, received the Bob Cousy Award (best point guard in college basketball) and was a finalist for the Naismith National Player of the Year award.
Smith’s return automatically makes Purdue the favorite to win the Big Ten and a contender to win college basketball’s national championship in 2026.
He averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game. The junior helped Purdue to a 24-12 record and a trip to the Sweet 16.
Clearly, though, Smith is looking to accomplish even more in his senior season at Purdue.
Smith has accomplished a lot during his three seasons in West Lafayette, scoring more than 1,000 career points, grabbing more than 500 rebounds and becoming Purdue’s all-time assist leader. He’s also helped guide the Boilermakers to two Big Ten regular season titles, a Big Ten Tournament championship and a trip to the National Championship Game.
Following the 2024-25 season, Smith could have opted to enter his name into the NBA Draft while keeping his college eligibility. While he still may receive some feedback from scouts in the league, he has put any rumors of a departure to rest with his post on Instagram on Monday.
Smith will rejoin Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer and CJ Cox as starters from last year’s team. The Boilermakers also return Gicarri Harris and Raleigh Burgess and 7-foot-4 center Daniel Jacobsen is back from injury.
Additionally, Purdue brought in Oscar Cluff from South Dakota State via transfer, a 6-foot-11 center who averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game a year ago.
Without question, though, Smith returning to West Lafayette was the biggest piece to the puzzle in terms of Purdue making another run to the Final Four.
BOILERS REACH OUT TO FORMER UNC GUARD: Purdue is one of multiple schools that has reportedly been in contact with former North Carolina guard Cade Tyson, who recently entered the transfer portal. CLICK HERE
SMITH RECEIVES SHOUTOUT FROM WOODEN AWARD: Members of the John Wooden Award had nothing but kind words for Purdue junior guard Braden Smith, who recently received his All-American award. CLICK HERE
PURDUE BASKETBALL ROSTER TRACKER: Keeping track of the retuning players, incoming recruits and the transfer situation for Purdue basketball for the 2025-26 college basketball season. CLICK HERE
BERG SAYS THANK YOU: Purdue center Will Berg took to social media to thank fans and the program after entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal just a few days ago. CLICK HERE
JACOBSEN RETURNING TO PURDUE: Daniel Jacobsen confirmed his plans to stay at Purdue for the 2025-26 season through the team’s social media page on Tuesday. He missed most of his freshman season with a leg injury. CLICK HERE
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OSCAR CLUFF: A tough rebounder, a strong low-post player and a willing passer. Those are just a few things to know about new Purdue big man Oscar Cluff. CLICK HERE
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