Braden Smith of Purdue University has been named a unanimous preseason All-American for the 2024 basketball season. The recognition follows a stellar performance in the previous season and reflects his commitment to pursuing another national championship under head coach Matt Painter. Smith’s decision to return for his senior year, instead of entering the NBA draft, mirrors that of his teammate, Zach Edey, who also chose to stay with the Boilermakers.
The announcement from The Associated Press on Monday indicated that Smith received all 57 votes from a media panel. This accolade comes just a week after Purdue was ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in its history. Smith joins a first team that includes JT Toppin from Texas Tech, Yaxel Lendeborg from Michigan, AJ Dybantsa from BYU, and Alex Condon from Florida.
Smith expressed pride in being part of the Purdue program, stating, “That’s just how Purdue has always been, how every player has always been. We always want to be a part of a program like this, a culture like this.”
Smith’s Impressive Stats and Background
Since joining Purdue in the 2022-23 season, Smith has established himself as one of the top guards in college basketball. In his sophomore year, he played a pivotal role in leading the Boilermakers to the national championship game, averaging strong numbers with 12 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. He set a school record for total minutes played during that season.
Last year, Smith elevated his performance further, becoming the first player in NCAA history to achieve at least 550 points, 300 assists, 150 rebounds, and 75 steals in a single season. He averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals, guiding Purdue to the Sweet 16.
Notable Peers Joining Smith on the All-American List
JT Toppin, who had a remarkable first season at Texas Tech, is another standout on the preseason All-American list. The 6-foot-9 forward posted averages of 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks during his debut season, helping the Red Raiders reach the Elite Eight. Toppin was recognized as a second-team AP All-American and the Big 12 Player of the Year before deciding to return for the upcoming season with Texas Tech ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll.
Yaxel Lendeborg, who transferred to Michigan after a successful stint at UAB, also made headlines. Lendeborg was instrumental in leading the Blazers to the NCAA Tournament and earned accolades as the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons. After averaging 15.8 points and 11 rebounds per game at UAB, he is expected to bolster Michigan’s chances this season as they earned a No. 7 ranking in the preseason poll.
Meanwhile, AJ Dybantsa, a highly regarded recruit, chose BYU, which is looking to build on its Sweet 16 appearance from last season. As the nation’s top recruit, Dybantsa possesses an impressive skill set that includes strong finishing at the rim and defensive prowess, making him a potential top draft pick in the future.
Alex Condon, a 6-foot-11 forward from Australia, also returns to Florida after contemplating a move to the NBA following the Gators’ national championship victory. Condon averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds last season, playing a crucial role in the championship game against Houston. His return provides Florida with significant depth, contributing to their No. 3 ranking in the AP preseason poll as they aim for consecutive titles.
As the college basketball season approaches, the focus will be on how these players, particularly Braden Smith, perform under the spotlight and whether they can lead their respective teams to success. With the preseason accolades already in place, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
