Point guard Braden Smith commits to Purdue

Just two evenings right after it made available him a scholarship, Purdue has landed a commitment from Westfield Higher Faculty position guard Branden Smith, filling a critical need to have in its 2022 class.

The Boilermakers had been the six-foot guard’s first higher-big offer you, symbolizing a rather fast closure to a recruitment that was trending upward as the spring unfolded and the summertime neared. Smith held a slew of mid-big delivers, but Purdue was joined by Indiana as exhibiting dependable interest. Gonzaga, Oregon and Villanova are amongst people who have also established lines of communication, he is said.

It shouldn’t be stunning that Matt Painter was the first electric power-meeting coach to choose the plunge, provided Smith’s standing as a player. He’s regarded for his tenacity and toughness at position guard, and his IQ, shooting and passing skills as an offensive player, all of people points remaining Painter favorites.

Smith says he recognized the in shape at Purdue suitable away, an surprising switch for a player who grew up an Indiana fan.

“I under no circumstances thought I would be a Boilermaker,” Smith said. “I was a lot more on the IU side when I was younger. But now that I’ve seen that (in shape) and recognize a lot more about how basketball is, how it can be played, and their taking part in design and style, just seeing all that, it really built an impact.”

As a junior at Westfield, Smith averaged 22 details, 5-and-a-50 % rebound, 6-in addition helps and around three steals and shot shot 45 % from three-position vary.

“He appreciated the way I perform, the chip on my shoulder,” Smith said of Painter. “I am not the most important, I am not the fastest, and I am not the strongest, but … It was just the way I perform. He said he appreciated how I hustle and said he thought I was a fantastic passer. He talked a lot about that, how he thinks I make teammates better.”

He joins shooting guard Fletcher Loyer as Purdue’s two 2022 commitments to this position.

Stay tuned this weekend for coverage of Smith’s game titles this weekend at the Hensley Memorial Operate ‘N Slam in Fort Wayne.