“I love him; I love him,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said about Braden Smith. “He’s a Chris Paul, the other coach’s nightmare. He’s got a winning nastiness about him.” The guy with the signature “Peaky Blinders” beard has stepped up as the face of the program since Zach Edey headed to the NBA, leading the Boilermakers all the way to the Sweet 16 in the last big dance.

As he gears up for his final season at Purdue, Braden Smith is shaping up as a potential Wooden Award candidate and arguably the best point guard in college basketball. He was already trending in that direction as a junior, averaging 15.7 points and 8.7 assists per game. On top of that, he joined Purdue’s 1,000-point club, grabbed his 500th career rebound, and became the program’s all-time assist leader.

As Braden Smith gears up for what could be his final season at Purdue, his mission is clear: to finish what Zach Edey started and bring a national championship home to West Lafayette. With the new season right around the corner, excitement around the Boilermakers’ star guard is hitting new heights. Fans have watched him grow into one of the best point guards in the nation, and now, they’re eager to know more about the man behind the game. In this article, we take a closer look at Braden Smith’s ethnicity, religion, and nationality.

Where is Braden Smith from?

Braden Smith was born on July 25, 2003, in Russellville, Arkansas, before moving with his family to Westfield, Indiana, when he was just four years old — the place he would eventually call home. Growing up in Westfield, Smith’s basketball journey took off early. He made the varsity team as a freshman at Westfield High School and quickly became a local sensation.

By the time he graduated, he had earned the title of Indiana Mr. Basketball in 2022, solidifying his reputation as one of the state’s brightest talents. His next chapter led him to Purdue University. And the rest they say is history!

What is Braden Smith’s Ethnicity and Nationality?

Braden Smith was born to Ginny and Dustin Smith, who actually met each other while playing basketball at Arkansas Tech University — so the game has always been in his blood. His mom, Ginny, was named Arkansas Miss Basketball in 1997 and served as the assistant athletic director and girls’ basketball coach at Westfield High School. His dad, Dustin, is also deeply rooted in the game, working as the head coach of the Grand Park Premier basketball team on the AAU Circuit.

Both his parents are American, which makes Braden an American by nationality as well. And judging by his appearance and family background, it’s safe to deduce that he is a White American.

Is Braden Smith Christian?

There are no confirmed reports suggesting that Braden Smith follows Christianity, and we’ll be sure to update this section if any verified information surfaces. However, there’s reason to believe that his mother, Ginny, is a Christian. In an interview with Town and Country Magazine, Ginny spoke about the influence her aunt and grandmother had on her basketball journey

“My aunt and grandma on my dad’s side were huge influences in my life,” she said. “They would say, ‘You are going to college.’ Praise Jesus, I went to college.” This statement does hint that Ginny might be a Christian. However, there’s no such indication or confirmation about Braden Smith’s religious beliefs.