BREAKING NEWS: Purdue Boilermakers Point Guard Braden Smith is the 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Indianapolis, IN — April 7, 2025
In a storybook ending to an unforgettable season, Purdue Boilermakers point guard Braden Smith has been named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, after leading Purdue to its first national championship in school history.
Smith, the floor general for the Boilermakers, delivered a masterclass performance in the championship game against the UConn Huskies, finishing with 18 points, 9 assists, and 4 steals in a 72–66 victory. His poise under pressure, sharp court vision, and relentless defense made him the engine that powered Purdue’s historic title run.
“Braden is the heart of this team,” head coach Matt Painter said. “He’s unselfish, tough, and everything you want in a point guard. He earned this honor every step of the way.”
Throughout the tournament, Smith averaged 14.7 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, consistently outsmarting elite defenses and setting the tone for Purdue’s offense. Alongside All-American center Zach Edey, Smith formed one of the most effective inside-out duos in recent college basketball history.
“This is surreal,” Smith said during the trophy ceremony. “To bring this title home to Purdue, to do it with this group of guys—it means the world. We believed all year, and now we’ve made history.”
The championship marks a turning point for Purdue basketball, shaking off years of March heartbreak and solidifying its place among the sport’s elite.
BREAKING NEWS: Purdue Boilermakers Point Guard Braden Smith is the 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Indianapolis, IN — April 7, 2025
In a storybook ending to an unforgettable season, Purdue Boilermakers point guard Braden Smith has been named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, after leading Purdue to its first national championship in school history.
Smith, the floor general for the Boilermakers, delivered a masterclass performance in the championship game against the UConn Huskies, finishing with 18 points, 9 assists, and 4 steals in a 72–66 victory. His poise under pressure, sharp court vision, and relentless defense made him the engine that powered Purdue’s historic title run.
“Braden is the heart of this team,” head coach Matt Painter said. “He’s unselfish, tough, and everything you want in a point guard. He earned this honor every step of the way.”
Throughout the tournament, Smith averaged 14.7 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, consistently outsmarting elite defenses and setting the tone for Purdue’s offense. Alongside All-American center Zach Edey, Smith formed one of the most effective inside-out duos in recent college basketball history.
“This is surreal,” Smith said during the trophy ceremony. “To bring this title home to Purdue, to do it with this group of guys—it means the world. We believed all year, and now we’ve made history.”
The championship marks a turning point for Purdue basketball, shaking off years of March heartbreak and solidifying its place among the sport’s elite.
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