Braden Smith signs two-way contract with Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers announced on Monday, Aug. 17, that the team has signed guard Braden Smith to a two-way contract.

The Pacers acquired the draft rights to Smith, the 38th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, from the Chicago Bulls this past June. The Westfield native and 2022 Indiana Mr. Basketball recipient now begins his professional career in his home state following one of the most decorated collegiate careers by a point guard in NCAA history.

During his four-year career at Purdue, Smith appeared in 149 games (all starts), averaging 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from the field. In that span, he solidified himself as one of the top point guards in the nation and in Boilermaker program history. Smith collected numerous accolades during his career, including three First-Team All-Big Ten selections (2024, 2025, 2026), two consensus First-Team All-America honors (2025, 2026), Big Ten Player of the Year honors (2025) and the Bob Cousy Award (2025), presented annually to the nation’s top point guard.

Smith also set countless records during his time at Purdue, highlighted by becoming the NCAA Division I all-time assists leader with 1,103 career assists. He also became the only player in NCAA history to record at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds in a career, and the only player to post three seasons with at least 450 points, 250 assists and 125 rebounds.