Braden Smith breaks NCAA assists record in Purdue's tournament win

Purdue point guard sets new mark for career assists despite frustration over recent shooting slump

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:03am

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Purdue senior point guard Braden Smith broke the NCAA's all-time assists record during his team's 104-71 victory over Queens University in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Smith, who entered the game one assist shy of the record, set the new mark of 1,077 career assists, surpassing the previous record held by Duke's Bobby Hurley. Despite the historic achievement, Smith remained focused on the game at hand, chastising a teammate during a timeout as the team continued to battle Queens. Smith finished the night with 26 points and 8 assists, leading Purdue to the Round of 32.

Why it matters

Braden Smith's record-breaking performance is a testament to his unselfish play and elite passing ability, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in college basketball history. The moment also highlights Smith's intense competitive drive, as he remained laser-focused on winning the game rather than celebrating the personal milestone.

The details

In the second half of Purdue's tournament win, Smith recorded his record-breaking 1,077th career assist, finding teammate Trey Kaufman-Renn for a basket. The play was initially ruled an assist, but there was a brief delay as officials confirmed the scoring. Once the record was official, the crowd erupted in cheers, but Smith remained locked in, quickly returning to the bench to get the defensive assignment for Purdue's next possession. During a subsequent timeout, Smith was seen angrily chastising a teammate, demonstrating his fiery competitiveness even in the midst of a blowout victory.

  • Smith entered the game with 1,075 career assists, one shy of the NCAA record of 1,076 held by Bobby Hurley.
  • Smith tied the record with an assist early in the game.
  • Smith broke the record with his 1,077th career assist in the second half.

The players

Braden Smith

Purdue's senior point guard, who is now the NCAA's all-time leader in career assists.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

Purdue's power forward, who has been the recipient of many of Smith's assists throughout his career.

Bobby Hurley

The former Duke star who previously held the NCAA record for career assists with 1,076.

Matt Painter

Purdue's head coach, who has guided the team to the NCAA Tournament and praised Smith's leadership and competitiveness.

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What they’re saying

“Even at his worst, he's still our best.”

— Matt Painter, Purdue Head Coach

“As a player, I'm thankful. Not only the first and last (assists of Smith's record-setting journey), but he's accounted for a lot of my scoring throughout my career.”

— Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue Power Forward

What’s next

Purdue will face 7th-seeded Miami in the Round of 32 on Sunday, with Smith looking to lead the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

The takeaway

Braden Smith's historic night showcases his elite playmaking abilities and relentless competitive spirit, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest point guards in college basketball history. Despite the personal milestone, Smith remained focused on winning the game, demonstrating the team-first mentality that has made him so successful at Purdue.