### Braden Smith's Historic Achievement: A New Era for Purdue Basketball Braden Smith, the senior point guard for the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers, has made headlines by becoming the Big Ten's all-time leader in career assists. This milestone was achieved during a recent game against Wisconsin, where Smith recorded 12 assists, bringing his total to 893, surpassing the previous record held by Cassius Winston of Michigan State. Despite this personal achievement, Smith remains focused on the team's ultimate goal: winning a national championship. Purdue's depth and balance, with four players averaging double figures in scoring, position them as strong contenders for the title this season [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/braden_smith_no_5_purdue_strive_for_continued_success_in_matchup_vs_washington/s1_17048_43292760][https://apnews.com/article/purdue-boilermakers-braden-smith-big-ten-assists-5ce307fe93446f72980539bf5eb5e7c8]. ### Breakdown of Braden Smith's Record and Team Dynamics 1. **Record Achievement**: - Braden Smith became the Big Ten's career assists leader with 893 assists, surpassing Cassius Winston's record of 890. - This achievement occurred during an 89-73 victory over Wisconsin, where Smith also contributed 14 points [https://apnews.com/article/purdue-wisconsin-score-707012dc77f6fc997647a70f992cdcce][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/purdue-boilermakers-braden-smith-breaks-122620423.html]. 2. **Team Performance**: - Purdue currently holds a record of 13-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten, showcasing their strong start to the season. - The team features four players averaging double-digit points: Fletcher Loyer (14.4), Trey Kaufman-Renn (13.8), Smith (12.6), and Oscar Cluff (11.4) [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/braden_smith_no_5_purdue_strive_for_continued_success_in_matchup_vs_washington/s1_17048_43292760]. 3. **Future Aspirations**: - Smith aims to not only lead his team to a national championship but also to break the Division I record for career assists, currently held by Bobby Hurley [https://apnews.com/article/purdue-boilermakers-braden-smith-big-ten-assists-5ce307fe93446f72980539bf5eb5e7c8]. ### Supporting Evidence of Braden Smith's Impact - **Career Stats**: - Smith's average of 9.6 assists per game places him among the top distributors in Division I basketball [https://apnews.com/article/purdue-wisconsin-score-707012dc77f6fc997647a70f992cdcce]. - **Team Contributions**: - The Boilermakers' balanced scoring and depth have been crucial to their success, with multiple players stepping up in key moments [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/braden_smith_no_5_purdue_strive_for_continued_success_in_matchup_vs_washington/s1_17048_43292760]. ### Conclusion: A Bright Future for Purdue Basketball In summary, **Braden Smith's record-breaking achievement as the Big Ten's all-time assists leader marks a significant milestone in his career and for Purdue basketball**. His focus on team success, combined with the Boilermakers' strong performance this season, positions them as serious contenders for the national title. 1. Smith's record of 893 assists highlights his exceptional playmaking ability. 2. Purdue's current season record of 13-1 reflects their overall strength and depth. 3. Smith's aspirations to win a national championship and break the Division I assists record indicate his commitment to excellence. As Purdue prepares for their upcoming matchup against Washington, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Smith and his quest for further achievements [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/braden_smith_no_5_purdue_strive_for_continued_success_in_matchup_vs_washington/s1_17048_43292760][https://apnews.com/article/purdue-boilermakers-braden-smith-big-ten-assists-5ce307fe93446f72980539bf5eb5e7c8].