Braden Smith’s legacy at Purdue isn’t finished yet, but the Boilermakers are already eyeing the point guard who could one day match his impact. The program has made it clear to Reese Alston, a top-15 prospect in the 2027 class, that they see him as the perfect heir to their veteran leader’s throne.
What Role Do the Purdue Boilermakers Envision for Reese Alston?
Reese Alston recently sat down with Rivals’ Jamie Shaw to discuss the latest in his recruitment. With an offer to one day run the Boilermakers’ offense, he shared that Purdue envisions him as the next “Braden Smith.”
“They are just saying how their point guard right now, Braden Smith, how he orchestrates the offense and things like that,” Alston said. “So they want me to come in and be the next him, who could run the team.”
🔥 Reese Alston, the No. 2 PG in 2027, updates his recruitment.
Where things stand with Maryland, Purdue, Houston & Texas — plus what’s next. 👀
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— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) August 6, 2025
That’s not a casual comparison. Entering his senior season, Smith has already cemented his place among Purdue’s all-time greats, running the offense with a command few in college basketball can match. The Indiana native owns the program’s career assists record with 758, surpassing Bruce Parkinson last year, and now sits 319 assists shy of Bobby Hurley’s NCAA mark of 1,076.
A member of Purdue’s 1,000-point club with over 500 rebounds to his name, Smith’s junior campaign in 2024-25 brought him Big Ten Player of the Year honors, a first-team All-American nod, and the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard.
Purdue believes Alston, the son of former NBA player and streetball legend Rafer Alston, has the tools to follow in those footsteps and one day steer the program the way Smith has.
Why Are the Boilermakers Targeting Alston as Their Next Floor General?
Currently ranked No. 3 in Texas, the 6’2″ point guard from Houston’s Second Baptist School has been climbing recruiting boards and turning heads wherever he plays.
He was a standout on the Puma Pro16 16U circuit over the summer, averaging 14.9 points and 3.5 assists per game for the Cooz Elite program.
We locked in on the 16U division during @PRO16League‘s Championship Sunday where top-40 recruit Reese Alston gracefully led his team to a title.@247Sports empties the notebook on rising juniors & standout underclassmen from the entire weekend.
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— Brandon Jenkins (@BJenkins247) July 21, 2025
Alston’s poise with the ball and smooth change of pace kept defenders off balance throughout the summer circuit. He got wherever he wanted on the floor, finishing at the rim with flair while showing a natural knack for controlling the game’s tempo and flow.
His pull-up jumper is still a work in progress, but he showed touch from deep, knocking down shots off the bounce in rhythm. The foundation is clearly there for continued development at the next level.
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Beyond the physical tools, Alston studies the right players. He patterns his style after crafty guards who can break down defenses and create their own looks at will.
“I like to watch Darius Garland; I like him a lot, just his craftiness. I like all the crafty guards, like Jamal Crawford, too, players like that,” he told Shaw.
Alston’s talent and pedigree make him a natural choice to one day take the reins from Smith and guide Purdue’s future. The Boilermakers are clearly betting that this combination of bloodlines, basketball IQ, and raw ability will translate into the next chapter of their point guard tradition.
