Purdue juniors Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn have been named to the midseason watch list for the 2025 Oscar Robertson Trophy, presented to the top player in college basketball. A total of 50 players were named to the watch list, which was released this week.
Kaufman-Renn is Purdue’s leading scorer this season, averaging 18.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest. Smith is the team’s second-leading scorer and top assist man, averaging 15.8 points, 8.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
“The Oscar Robertson Trophy winner is to be announced at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio, from April 5-7,” the release from the USBWA states. “The formal presentation of the trophy will follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. A final watch list will be released in early March and those chosen will be included on the USBWA’s annual awards ballot.”
With the departure of Zach Edey and Mason Gillis, Kaufman-Renn stepped into a bigger role in Purdue’s frontcourt. He’s delivered in a big way thus far, becoming the leading scorer and top rebounder for the Boilermakers.
Smith entered the 2024-25 season as the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and was a preseason All-American. He’s lived up to the hype thus far, especially in the month of January. He averaged 17.6 points, 9.1 assists and 3.1 steals for the month, making college basketball history.
Purdue has won the Oscar Robertson Trophy each of the last two seasons, as Edey received the honor in 2023 and 2024. Can the Boilermakers make it a third straight year?
Here’s the complete list of players named to Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list:
LOYER CONFIDENCE AS LEADER: As a junior and three-year starter, Fletcher Loyer was asked to be a leader for Purdue this season. Conversations with coach Matt Painter helped him grow into that role. CLICK HERE
HOW TO WATCH PURDUE-IOWA: Purdue travels to Iowa for a Big Ten clash on Tuesday. Television and radio information, key stats, top players and more for the matchup between the Boilers and Hawkeyes. CLICK HERE
KEYS TO PURDUE VS. IOWA: Purdue coach Matt Painter said the biggest key for the Boilermakers Tuesday is limiting turnovers and keeping Iowa out of transition. CLICK HERE
SMITH A SEMIFINALIST FOR COUSY AWARD: Purdue junior guard Braden Smith has been named one of 10 semifinalist for the Bob Cousy Award, presented to the top point guard in college basketball. CLICK HERE
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