Purdue’s Braden Smith Named Unanimous Preseason All-American

Braden Smith, a standout guard for the Purdue Boilermakers, has been named a unanimous preseason All-American for the upcoming basketball season. This recognition follows an impressive performance in the previous season, where he played a pivotal role in Purdue’s run to the national championship game. After considering a move to the NBA, Smith, like his teammate Zach Edey, opted to return to college for another chance at securing a national title under the guidance of head coach Matt Painter.

The announcement was made via the Associated Press preseason All-America team, which awarded Smith all 57 votes from a media panel. This accolade comes just a week after the Boilermakers achieved the distinction of being ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time in the program’s history. Smith shares his position on the first team with other notable players, including JT Toppin from Texas Tech, who received 52 votes, and Yaxel Lendeborg from Michigan, who garnered 30 votes.

Smith’s Historic Performance

Since his freshman season in 2022-23, Smith has emerged as one of the nation’s most prolific guards. During the 2024 season, he averaged an impressive 12 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, setting a school record for total minutes played. His performance as a junior last season was even more remarkable; he became the first player in NCAA history to record at least 550 points, 300 assists, 150 rebounds, and 75 steals in a single season. Smith’s averages of 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals contributed significantly to Purdue’s advancement to the Sweet 16.

Toppin, who transferred from New Mexico to Texas Tech, also made headlines with his impressive debut season. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, helping the Red Raiders reach the Elite Eight before falling to the eventual national champions, Florida. Toppin was recognized as a second-team AP All-American and named the Big 12 Player of the Year before deciding to return to Texas Tech, which is currently ranked No. 10 in the preseason poll.

New Faces and Impact Players

Lendeborg, who previously excelled at UAB, made the decision to transfer to Michigan after testing the waters of the NBA. The 6-foot-9 forward played a crucial role in leading the Blazers to the NCAA Tournament in 2024. His move to Michigan has bolstered the Wolverines, who are ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll, following their Sweet 16 finish last season. Lendeborg’s impressive statistics include becoming only the second player alongside Larry Bird of Indiana State to achieve 600 points, 400 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single season.

Additionally, BYU welcomed the highly touted recruit AJ Dybantsa, who is expected to elevate the team’s performance in his freshman year. The athletic 6-foot-9 forward, named the nation’s No. 1 recruit, has drawn attention for his strong finishing ability at the rim and exceptional defensive skills, positioning him as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.

Florida’s Alex Condon also made headlines with his decision to return to college after initially declaring for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-11 Australian averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season. He played a pivotal role in Florida’s national championship victory, contributing 12 points, seven rebounds, and four steals in the title game against Houston. Condon’s return has helped Florida secure a No. 3 ranking in the AP preseason poll, as the Gators aim for consecutive national titles.

With such talent and potential across the board, the upcoming college basketball season promises to be exciting, with players like Smith leading the charge for their respective teams.