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

For the first time in Big Ten history, players from the same team have been named Big Ten Player of the Year three seasons in a row.

Braden Smith of Purdue was named the Associated Press Big Ten player of year on Tuesday, Michigan State's Tom Izzo the coach of the year and Wisconsin's John Tonje the newcomer of the year. Smith continued the Boilermakers' hold on the top individual honor after Zach Edey won it the past two seasons.

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