Purdue's Braden Smith breaks Division I career assist record

Smith sets new mark in NCAA Tournament opener, leads Boilermakers to rout of Queens

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:54am

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Purdue guard Braden Smith broke the Division I career assist record on Friday night, picking up his 1,077th assist in the Boilermakers' 104-71 rout of No. 15 seed Queens in the NCAA Tournament. Smith, an All-American, finished the game with 26 points and 8 assists as second-seeded Purdue advanced.

Why it matters

Smith's record-breaking performance is a testament to his elite playmaking ability and leadership on a Purdue team that has been a consistent contender in recent years, including a runner-up finish in the 2024 national championship game.

The details

Smith broke the previous record held by former Duke star Bobby Hurley with an assist to Trey Kaufman-Renn in the first half. Smith is the only player in NCAA history with at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds in his career. He and teammate Fletcher Loyer have been starters for Purdue since their freshman year in 2022.

  • Smith broke the record in the first half of Purdue's NCAA Tournament opener on March 17, 2026.

The players

Braden Smith

A senior guard for Purdue who is the only player in NCAA history with at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds in his career.

Bobby Hurley

The former Duke star whose Division I career assist record was broken by Smith.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

A Purdue player who scored 25 points in the win over Queens.

Fletcher Loyer

A Purdue player who scored 14 points in the victory.

Matt Painter

The head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think it's really set in, because to me, again, it's my job. It's what I'm supposed to do. You're supposed to get guys the ball to go score, and obviously I have a lot of great people around me who can do that.”

— Braden Smith

“People trust me with the ball in my hands, and my teammates trust me, and the coaching staff trusts me.”

— Braden Smith

“The crowd went crazy and I thought it was for my Euro step, but I guess it wasn't.”

— Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue player

“It is surreal. He's an unbelievable passer, man. He makes the game look easy at times.”

— Matt Painter, Purdue head coach

What’s next

Purdue will face the winner of the game between No. 7 seed Michigan State and No. 10 seed USC in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Braden Smith's record-breaking performance and leadership have been instrumental in Purdue's sustained success, including a national title game appearance in 2024. His ability to elevate his teammates and make the game look effortless has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest passers in college basketball history.