Purdue's Braden Smith on Cusp of NCAA Assists Record

Boilermakers star poised to surpass Duke legend Bobby Hurley during 2026 March Madness

Mar. 20, 2026 at 7:20am

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Purdue's Braden Smith enters the 2026 NCAA Tournament just two assists shy of surpassing Duke's Bobby Hurley to become the all-time career leader in NCAA Division I history. A consensus First-Team All-American and the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, Smith has put together a statistical resume that borders on the impossible, becoming the only player in NCAA history to reach 1,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 rebounds.

Why it matters

Smith's ascent to the top of the NCAA's all-time assists leaderboard marks the crowning achievement of a career defined by loyalty and historic production. For decades, Hurley's 1,076 assists have stood as the gold standard for elite playmaking in college basketball, and Smith's pursuit of this milestone has captivated the sport.

The details

Smith has methodically chipped away at Hurley's record over 145 consecutive starts for Matt Painter, and whether the record falls in the opening round or deeper into the bracket, his rise to the top of the all-time list solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in the modern era of college basketball.

  • Braden Smith enters the 2026 NCAA Tournament just two assists shy of surpassing Bobby Hurley's record.
  • Smith recently cemented his legacy during the 2026 Big Ten Tournament, where he was named Most Outstanding Player after setting the all-time conference records for assists in a single game (16), a single tournament (46), and a career (96).

The players

Braden Smith

A consensus First-Team All-American and the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, Smith has put together a statistical resume that borders on the impossible, becoming the only player in NCAA history to reach 1,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 rebounds.

Bobby Hurley

The current NCAA Division I all-time assists leader, Hurley propelled Duke to two national championships in the early 1990s and was named the 1992 Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Matt Painter

The head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers, who has overseen the winningest four-year stretch in program history with Braden Smith as the team's floor general.

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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

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.