Even without Zach Edey, Braden Smith flourished as a junior and was recognized as the best player in the Big Ten.

Braden Smith was named the 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year, marking the third straight year a Purdue player has won the award.

Braden Smith of Purdue is the Associated Press Big Ten player of year, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo is coach of the year and Wisconsin’s John Tonje the newcomer of the year.