Purdue enters the season looking for a new identity following the departure of two-time National Player of the Year award winner Zach Edey.

While this is obviously a major loss for the program, all hope is not lost, as junior guard Braden Smith has shown he has the ability to keep the Boilermakers atop the Big Ten. Although he is a bit undersized, standing at just 6-foot-0, he is one of the best point guards in the country and could claim to be the most underrated prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. a look at Smith’s game and how his style of play could translate to the NBA level.

Smith is an elite player, as shown last season when he averaged 7.5 assists per game, which ranked second in the country. Many attributed this level of production to Edey’s entry passes, but Smith seemed to disprove that notion by racking up 15 assists in Purdue’s season opener this year. His ability to make quick decisions and manage the game at a higher level than opposing defenses is no small feat, and it appears this skill will translate well to the next level. Jump passes aren’t typically considered smart plays, but Smith does it effectively, finding his teammates before elevating them in order to quickly create passing windows and throw the ball all over the court.

Beyond his play, Smith is also a very efficient scorer at all three levels. He made 37.6 percent of his threes as a freshman and improved to 43.1 percent last season thanks to the increased volume. His shooting mechanics are clean and smooth, no matter how deep he takes those shots. He seems more consistent in catch-and-shoot opportunities, but has also shown the ability to make shots off the dribble in pick-and-roll sets. Continuing to develop an elite outside shot could make the difference in the opportunities he gets at the next level, so he should make that a focal point throughout the upcoming season.

One of Smith’s strongest styles of play is where he pushes in transition. Although he regularly receives outlet passes, many of these opportunities are generated after he grabs the rebound and pushes the ball himself. Last season, Smith averaged five rebounds per game and had seven or more on 14 occasions. He is ultra-aggressive and rarely backs down from larger opponents. Although he didn’t record a triple-double last season, he was just short of two or fewer rebounds five times.

Due to his smaller size, it’s easy to assume that he doesn’t generate buzz for his defense, but it’s yet another aspect of his game that may be undervalued. They’re also annoying as they come along the perimeter and routinely disrupt ball handlers and skip passing lanes, leading to two interceptions per game last year. While it’s hard to assume he can become highly switchable at the next level, his ability to collect steals, along with his strong positional rebounding and advanced offensive game, could make him more than usable.

The road to the draft is undoubtedly a long one for Smith, but ruling him out completely seems unwise. Elite-level processors typically find a path to NBA opportunities regardless of size, so tracking his development this year will be crucial for NBA teams. He’s not a perfect prospect by any means, but his overrated flaws could make him the most underrated guard in the 2025 NBA Draft.

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