Alaskan Brayden Maldonado sets NIT scoring record

Seattle University senior pours in 25 points in loss to Auburn

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:57am

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Brayden Maldonado, a senior at Seattle University from Anchorage, Alaska, set a new single-game scoring record for an Alaskan player in the NIT tournament with 25 points in a loss to Auburn. Maldonado shot 9-for-18 from the field, including 7-of-13 from 3-point range, in the 91-85 defeat. He finished his college career with 1,483 total points, moving into the top 25 on Alaska's all-time college scoring list.

Why it matters

Alaskan players have a rich history of success in the NIT tournament, dating back to 1983. Maldonado's record-setting performance continues this tradition and highlights the basketball talent that has emerged from The Last Frontier state.

The details

Maldonado, a 6-foot guard out of East High in Anchorage, spent his first two seasons at Division II Metro State before transferring to Seattle University. In his senior season, he averaged 14.7 points per game and played a team-high 37 minutes in the NIT loss to Auburn.

  • Maldonado set the new single-game scoring record for an Alaskan in the NIT on March 24, 2026.

The players

Brayden Maldonado

A senior guard at Seattle University from Anchorage, Alaska who set the new single-game scoring record for an Alaskan player in the NIT tournament.

Devon Bookert

A former player from Anchorage who held the previous NIT single-game scoring record for an Alaskan with 21 points in 2014 while playing for Florida State.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

Maldonado's record-setting performance highlights the continued success of Alaskan players in the prestigious NIT tournament, further cementing the state's reputation as a hotbed for basketball talent.