Purdue's Braden Smith Overwhelmingly Voted Top College Basketball Player

Purdue University is widely regarded as a top contender for the 2025-26 college basketball season, boasting both the best player and one of the best teams according to nearly 100 anonymous college basketball coaches. Senior guard Braden Smith, who was the Big Ten Player of the Year and Bob Cousy Award winner last season, received over 50% of the vote as the sport's best player, far surpassing other contenders. Alongside Smith, teammates Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff were also recognized among the top 40 players nationally, with Smith ranked No. 2 and Kaufman-Renn No. 3 by SportsGrid. Purdue's strength is further emphasized by its projection as the favorite to win the national championship, receiving 32% of coach votes compared to Houston's 28%. Smith's leadership and experience, combined with the talent depth on the Boilermakers roster, are seen as key factors in their championship aspirations. This widespread acclaim underscores Purdue's prominent status in college basketball heading into the season.