Purdue's Braden Smith has been invited to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago from May 10-17, among 73 players. He is the NCAA all-time assists leader and a former Indiana Mr. Basketball.
Key points
Braden Smith invited to NBA Draft Combine
Combine dates: May 10-17 in Chicago
Smith is NCAA all-time assists leader
He averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 assists per game
Other invitees include Flory Bidunga and Peter Suder
NBA Draft CombineBraden SmithPurdue BoilermakersFlory Bidunga
Purdue's Braden Smith among NBA Draft Combine invitees
INDIANAPOLIS -- Purdue All-American point guard, NCAA all-time assists leader and former Westfield High School star Braden Smith is one of 73 players that have been invited to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago from May 10-17, the NBA announced Friday.
Smith, who was named Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 2022 after setting scoring and assists record at Westfield, averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 assists per game in four seasons with Purdue, earning first-team All-America honors in 2024-25 and 2025-26, and Big Ten Player of the Year honors in 2024-25. He helped lead the Boilermakers to three Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights, a Final Four and the national championship game in 2024 when they lost to Connecticut. His 1,103 total career assists passed the previous NCAA Division I record of 1,076 set by Duke's Bobby Hurley. His 1,932 career points puts him eighth on Purdue's all-time list.
Former Kokomo and Kansas star Flory Bidunga is also invited. Bidunga has transferred from Kansas to Louisville but still has his name entered in the draft. Former Carmel High School star Peter Suder is also invited after leading Miami (Ohio) to a 32-2 season and earning MAC Player of the Year honors.
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) defends Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half of Big Ten Tournament final at United Center in Chicago on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Mar 15, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) dribbles and looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the men's Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Q&A
Who is Braden Smith and what are his achievements?
Braden Smith is a Purdue All-American point guard, NCAA all-time assists leader, and Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 2022, with 1,103 career assists and 1,932 points.
When is the NBA Draft Combine taking place?
The NBA Draft Combine is scheduled from May 10-17 in Chicago.
What teams did Braden Smith help lead during his college career?
Braden Smith helped lead the Purdue Boilermakers to three Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights, a Final Four, and the national championship game in 2024.
Who are other notable players invited to the NBA Draft Combine?
Other notable invitees include Flory Bidunga, who transferred from Kansas to Louisville, and Peter Suder, who led Miami (Ohio) to a 32-2 season.
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Mar 15, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) dribbles and looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the men's Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers rips his jersey against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers rips his jersey against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Mar 15, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (41) looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the men's Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #41 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles up the court against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #41 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) defends Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half of Big Ten Tournament final at United Center in Chicago on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
1 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) defends Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half of Big Ten Tournament final at United Center in Chicago on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
2 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
Mar 15, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) dribbles and looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the men's Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
3 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
Mar 15, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) dribbles and looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the men's Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
4 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers rips his jersey against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
5 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers rips his jersey against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
6 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
Mar 15, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (41) looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the men's Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
7 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #41 of the Purdue Boilermakers dribbles up the court against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
8 / 8
See photos as Braden Smith rips Purdue basketball jersey, wears No. 41 vs Michigan
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Braden Smith #41 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the United Center on March 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Smith is Purdue's only representative at the combine and Indiana is not sending any players, but Smith is one of 14 Big Ten players invited to the combine. National champion Michigan is sending three players in center Aday Mara and forwards Yaxel Landeborg and Morez Johnson. Final Four participant Illinois is sending guards Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell and forward Andrej Stojakovic. Wisconsin is sending guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd. UCLAs Tyler Bilodeau, Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr., Iowa's Bennett Stirtz, Northwestern Nick Martinelli and Ohio State' Bruce Thornton are also invited.
The Pacers enter the draft lottery among three teams with the best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick or a top-four pick, though they have conditionally traded their 2026 draft choice and would not get to keep it if it lands outside the top four. The players who would appear to be targets for top four picks -- BYU's A.J. Dybantsa, Duke's Cameron Boozer, Kansas' Darryn Peterson and North Carolina's Caleb Wilson -- are of course all invited.
