Purdue's Braden Smith Hits 1,000 Assists, Makes History

When Purdue's Braden Smith dished his sixth assist Thursday night, he joined one of the most exclusive clubs in college basketball history.

The senior point guard became just the fifth Division I player ever to reach 1,000 career assists during the Boilermakers' game against Michigan State. Smith hit the historic mark when he set up teammate Trey Kaufman-Renn for a basket in the first half.

Smith finished the night with 10 assists, showing the same selfless play that's defined his entire college career. He's currently averaging 8.7 assists per game this season, constantly looking to make his teammates better.

"He's a fabulous player," Purdue coach Matt Painter said after the game. "Everything he gets he deserves. He's sacrificed a lot. It's just an honor to coach him."

The achievement puts Smith in rare company. Only Duke legend Bobby Hurley, who holds the all-time record with 1,076 assists, and three other players have reached this milestone in Division I history.

Smith already made Big Ten history earlier this season when he surpassed Michigan State's Cassius Winston for the conference career record. Now he's chasing Hurley's national mark with three regular season games remaining before the Big Ten tournament.

Why This Inspires

In an era when college basketball often celebrates scoring highlights and individual stats, Smith's achievement represents something different. His 1,000 assists mean he's created scoring opportunities for teammates a thousand times over.

The consensus first-team All-American and Bob Cousy Award winner could have focused on his own scoring. Instead, the 6-foot senior built a legacy on making everyone around him better.

Smith's journey shows that the greatest impact often comes from lifting others up. His thousand assists represent a thousand moments of trusting his teammates, seeing the floor clearly, and choosing collaboration over personal glory.

With games still to play, Smith continues adding to his already historic career, proving that true greatness is measured not just in what you accomplish, but in how many people you help succeed along the way.