Braden Smith opens as early favorite for 2026 John R. Wooden Award

Purdue point guard Braden Smith has opened as the early favorite to win the 2026 John R. Wooden Award.

Purdue’s guard Braden Smith opens as early favorite for 2026 John R. Wooden Award. Braden Smith heads into the 2025‑26 season not just as one of college basketball’s most potent playmakers, but as the early favorite to win the 2026 John R. Wooden Award. Let’s dive into why the 6-foot point guard has surged to the top of the odds board—and what this could mean for both him and the Boilermakers.

Why Braden Smith is the Early Favorite: Inside the Numbers
DraftKings recently installed Smith at +500 odds to secure the 2026 Wooden Award—making him the current odds-on favorite. Teammate Trey Kaufman‑Renn ranks fifth in the odds at +1800, underscoring Purdue’s strong preseason positioning
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Those odds reflect a resume from his junior season that’s payload heavy: averaging 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game in 2024–25
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His elite playmaking—an NCAA-leading assist average—led to Purdue’s school single‑season assist record with 313 helpers

His junior campaign sparked multiple honors:

Big Ten Player of the Year (consensus), continuing Purdue’s three-year streak
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Bob Cousy Award winner as the nation’s top point guard, the first in Purdue history
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Braden Smith opens as early favorite for 2026 John R. Wooden Award

Consensus first-team All-American and a finalist for both the Naismith and Wooden Awards.

Named to the Wooden midseason watch list, already averaging 15.4 PPG and 8.6 APG by January.

What Makes Smith a Wooden Contender?
The Wooden Award honors the nation’s best college basketball player—evaluating skill, leadership, character, and a player’s impact on winning . What sets Smith apart:

All‑Around Excellence: Averaging over 15 points, nearly 9 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game—his stat line is historic. He became just the second player in NCAA history to record 550+ points, 300+ assists, and 150+ rebounds in a season, while also adding 75+ steals
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Record‑Breaking Playmaking: 313 assists in one season is a Purdue record—and his assist rate is among the best in modern college basketball . If he maintains this in his senior year, he could challenge Bobby Hurley’s NCAA career assist record (1,076)
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Consistent National Recognition: From preseason out of nowhere to midseason watchlists to major awards, Smith has consistently dominated the narrative. The resemblance to the Wooden legacy, as well as precedent set by back-to-back Purdue winners Zach Edey (2023, 2024), underscores Purdue’s pedigree .

Leadership & Team Impact: With Edey’s departure to the NBA, Purdue pivots around Smith as its emotional and tactical anchor. He’s more than a stat-sheet stuffer—his leadership propelled Purdue to its first National Championship game in 2024

A Closer Look at the Odds
Here’s how the Top 5 Wooden contenders stack up per DraftKings (early July 2025) :

Player Odds
Braden Smith (Purdue) +500
JT Toppin (Texas Tech) +750
Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) +1000
AJ Dybantsa (BYU) +1200
Trey Kaufman‑Renn (Purdue) +1800

Smith leads as a solid early choice, but odds reflect season-long performance, team success, and consistent excellence.

Purdue having two top-5 candidates emphasizes how the system thrives on team-driven narratives.

What Lies Ahead for 2025–26
1. Smith’s Senior Season & Legacies

Returning for his senior year—Smith confirmed the decision via Instagram in April 2025, saying, “Running it back one last time”

. He enters the season:

As Wooden Award preseason favorite

With aspirations for Big Ten titles, national tournament success, and possibly a top-10 season ranking for Purdue.

Beyond Wooden chances, he has pedigree for national recognition, having already been a finalist for both Wooden and Naismith awards.

2. Team Dynamics & Supporting Cast
Trey Kaufman‑Renn (+1800) anchors the frontcourt with potent scoring (20.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG last season)
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Fletcher Loyer is in the mix too—earmarked at +10000 odds, representing his potential breakout as a sharpshooter and complement to Smith
Off Tackle Empire.

OfftackleEmpire notes Purdue’s ability to rotate, build around Smith, and grow younger talent—S2 maintaining offensive balance
Off Tackle Empire

3. Challenges & Context
Purdue must replace Zach Edey’s dominating interior presence, balancing perimeter offense and interior defense .

The Big Ten landscape is loaded: Michigan State, Iowa, and others will pose stiff competition on Smith’s quest for team and individual honors.

Why Purdue Could Be Wooden’s Next Capitol
Track Record – Wooden trophies for Zach Edey (2023, 2024) show Purdue knows how to groom winners.

System & Coaching – Matt Painter’s system prioritizes skillful, disciplined, top-tier basketball which aligns with Wooden criteria.

Balanced Attack – With Smith orchestrating, plus Kaufman‑Renn inside and Loyer’s perimeter shooting, Purdue is built to impress.

 

 

Braden Smith’s Dominant Run Continues as Purdue key man

Final Take

Braden Smith is more than just a statistical marvel—he’s the linchpin of a Purdue program on the brink of a three-peat dominance in the Wooden conversation. His return for a senior campaign offers the kind of momentum and continuity that voters look for: leadership, productivity, and on-court results.

If he and his Boilermakers click, this could be a defining season—turning a player-centered candidacy into a Wooden reality. With those +500 odds, the path is clear; the challenge now is to dominate consistently, deliver in crunch time, and bring Purdue its third Wooden Award in four years.