Braden Smith has already begun to start accumulating awards this season as he was previously announced as the Big Ten Player of the Year earlier this week as well as a finalist for the Cousy Award given to the nation’s top point guard. Now, Braden has been named as a semifinalist for the Jersey Mikes Naismith Award given to the College Player of the Year.
Braden has had his best statistical season as a Boilermaker, averaging 16.2 points, 8.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. He also became the all-time Purdue leader in assists this season and currently has 726 for his career.
Braden is joined by the following 9 semifinalists:
Johni Broome – AuburnWalter Clayton Jr – FloridaCooper Flagg – DukeKam Jones – MarquetteRyan Kalkbrenner – CreightonRJ Luis Jr – St. John’sMark Sears – AlabamaJohn Tonje – Wisconsin
JT Toppin – Texas Tech