Braden Smith of Purdue becomes 5th Division I player with 1,000 career assists

Advertisement

Advertise with us

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue point guard Braden Smith became the fifth player in Division I history to reach 1,000 assists with his sixth assist against No. 13 Michigan State on Thursday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue point guard Braden Smith became the fifth player in Division I history to reach 1,000 assists with his sixth assist against No. 13 Michigan State on Thursday night.

Smith had an assist on the eighth-ranked Boilermakers’ opening basket, a 3-pointer by C.J. Cox. He got his sixth with 6:43 left in the first half on a basket by Trey Kaufman-Renn where goaltending was called.

Smith finished with 10 assists in Purdue’s 76-74 loss.

Purdue guard Braden Smith warms up before an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Purdue guard Braden Smith warms up before an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

“He’s a fabulous player,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “Everything he gets he deserves. He’s sacrificed a lot. It’s just an honor to coach him. He’s done a lot for Purdue University.”

Bobby Hurley of Duke (1990-93) holds the D-I record with 1,076 assists. Smith entered averaging 8.7 assists per game. The Boilermakers have three games left before the Big Ten tournament.

Smith surpassed Michigan State’s Cassius Winston (2017-20) for the Big Ten career record earlier this season.

The 6-foot senior was a consensus first-team All-American last season and won the Bob Cousy Award for the top collegiate point guard.

___

Purdue guard Braden Smith, center, drives toward the basket while defended by Michigan State guards Kur Teng, left, and Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Purdue guard Braden Smith, center, drives toward the basket while defended by Michigan State guards Kur Teng, left, and Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD MORE