Braden Smith is a short point gard and he is on hes 4 year at purdue and all he does is pass the ball he is not going to be a star at the nba level. He has elite vision assists and steals with solid shooting but undersized and low scoring volume. Likely undrafted or late second round in the 2026 NBA Draft as a backup PG with high IQ and hustle.
Braden Smith
Purdue Boilermakers
Senior
| HT/WT/WS | 6' , 170lbs |
| Age | 22 |
PTS
14.3
AST
8.8
REB
3.5
FG%
44
Big Board Rankings
Community Scouting Reports (10)
John Pikiell
u/jpikiell7
#53
RANK
Seasoned floor general who's only knock is he is undersized. Definitely below 6 feet and not sure how he can hang defensively at that height. Lighting quick, elite passer that's deadly off every ball screen. Excellent shooter and crafty in the paint.
C_BA$$
u/cbass
#45
RANK
Braden Smith: Senior, 22 yo., 170 lbs., 6’
Season Stats: 15.1 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 9 APG | 1.9 Stl | 49.4 FG% | 44.9 3PT% | 77.6 FT%
Very talented guy. Not sure if he’d survive in the NBA. His skill should translate well and make him able to compete at the highest level. --- ---
PROS:
-Good basketball IQ
-Probably the best passer in the draft
-Great point guard
-Good defense for his size
-Can shoot the 3
-Good mid-range
-Very competitive
-Assits
CONS:
-Draft age
-Size
-FTA rate
-Def. rating
-Points
PRO COMP: TJ McConnell / Chris Paul lite
CEILING: Starter
FLOOR: out of the league
EXPECTATION: bench
FITS: Kings, Clippers, Nets
The Baker
u/17and0
#30
RANK
Definitely the best passer in the class. Passing ability is top tier, showing great IQ. Can score efficiently and has solid defensive instincts. Lower upside compared to other prospects but one of the higher floors.
Comparisons: TJ McConnell, John Stockton
Jake Nelson
u/JNelly11
#38
RANK
It is always hard to give a ton of draft stock to older undersized college guards. Typically what happens is they get overlooked, but occasionally there is one who has such an illustrious and productive college career it would be a disservice not to give them some kind of NBA look. That is where Braden Smith will come in. Smith is now in a great position to finish his career this year as the NCAA all time assists leader. He has spent most of the last few seasons being considered the best college point guard in the country and with another deep and productive post season run, he will likely cement himself as a second rounder in this draft. I don't think many will expect him to be a high level NBA player but his success warrants an opportunity to prove that wrong. We have seen many players of similar status go on to be very solid NBA players including Monte Morris, Payton Pritchard, TJ McConnell, Collin Gillespie and the most successful of them all: Jalen Brunson and Chris Paul. I don't expect perennial All Star or Hall of Fame trajectory for Smith but I do see an avenue to him being a very impactful backup point guard in the league.
NBA Comp: Monte Morris with a better 3 point shot
Brogan Unger
u/brounger2031
#40
RANK
Probably the best true point guard in this class although the combine might not be kind to him as he's only 6 foot tall but if he shows in March Maddness on a stacked Purdue team
Dan
u/Kembacrossover
#23
RANK
Prospect Rating: 6
Will enter the NBA as a top 15 passer/playmaker. Very high IQ and ability to read the game. Doesn’t have any major negatives on offense, as he’s a plus ball handler and passer, and competent driver and 3pt shooter. His size will impact his ability to see over defenders in the NBA and get shots off, but his high IQ and elite ability to see the game develop before it happens could allow him to overcome that issue.
Billy Gilchrist
u/gimmetheucejuic
#16
RANK
One of the best college passing prospects ever with limited athleticism and defense, but could be a great bench booster Impact: 71 Potential: 79
Sports Gaming
u/willpiatkowski1
#38
RANK
A unanimous preseason All-American who ran Purdue’s offense for four years. Elite playmaker, reads defenses ahead of time, finds open teammates before they’re open, and rarely makes an error. Pros: Elite IQ, orchestrates an offense with calm authority, solid anticipation on defense. Cons: Measured 6’0” and 166 lbs at the combine; will be a matchup problem defensively and struggle finishing at the rim against NBA athleticism. NBA outlook: A backup point guard who keeps an offense moving cleanly; ceiling is capped by his physical profile. Comp: Tyus Jones.
Ryan Wright
u/wrightryan30
#32
RANK
Budget Bennet Stirtz. Genuinely, these guys are so similar to me idk why they are mocked so far apart. My guess is the height concerns for Smith? Idk they are both TJ McConnell copy pastes. Can get to their spots, can run an offense, pesky on defense. Athleticsm is not their game. Stirtz is a more efficeint shooter. But would I be okay with either being a backup PG on my team? sure.