For as long as he can recall, Westfield High School (IN) boy's basketball standout Braden Smith has been dribbling a basketball and playing a sport that his family holds near and dear to them.
After all, basketball is a way of life for Smith and his family.
"My family just played basketball and it was in the family, so I picked it up from them. And what I enjoy the most is just the memories and all the people along the way. They (parents) help me everyday. They have taught me almost everything I know and how to do it. My mom was Miss Basketball in Arkansas, so having that helped me a lot," Smith told Heartland Sports Report.
The talks, lessons, film studies and more have paid off for Smith, who has been red hot this season for the Westfield Shamrocks. Through 11 games this season, Smith has averaged 19.6 ppg and 6.4 rpg to go along with 6 assists per contest. Perhaps, most impressive is how he has done it. During his freshman season, Smith set a single season school record with 69 made three-pointers and averaged 4.2 rpg and 3.1 apg. A season later, as a sophomore, Smith averaged 18.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.7 apg and recorded just under two steals a contest.
Whether it be fighting through a sore back or buzzer beaters against the top team in the state, Smith has delivered time and time again for the Shamrocks.
However, he is quick to defer credit to his teammates, adding he and his teammates know what is at stake this season in their final season.
"It wasn’t just me. It’s everyone on this team. We all deserve the same recognition and same respect. We are the reason all these fans come because we are prolly the smallest team as of size in our conference and we are fun to watch. We play together and play as a team. Not worrying who scores what we all know our roles. They all know this is our last year. So we want to end on a good note," Smith said.
Earlier this month, Smith powered through a sore back to hit the game winner against top ranked Carmel, lifting the Shamrocks to a 43-42 win, avenging a 53-27 loss last year in the sectional final. Against Carmel, Smith scored a game-high 28 points.
Playing through pain and injuries is something that is not new for the guard, as he once played with a broken foot. He says playing through the injuries shows his the size of his heart for his teammates.
"My teammates deserve my all and I’m gonna give it to them. They put in work too. So I feel like the only way I’m not playing is if my legs are about to fall off or something is missing. Other than that, I feel like I’m gonna push through and play. Just feel like I can’t let people down too. All those fans coming to watch us play and for me to sit out cause my back hurts. So I think it’s just a mindset and my heart," Smith said.
And, did he know his foot was broken?
"No, not really. The trainers said that there was a possibility, but I felt like it didn’t hurt bad enough to sit out," Smith said.
The mindset Smith takes the floor with each time can be traced back to always feeling like he has something to prove, much like his favorite NBA player, Steph Curry.
"I watch him and want to be like him. I just love his story and how he went from a 3 star kid with no one knowing about him and then going to Davidson to make his mark and then be able to accomplish so much. Also he was small like me, and it is just a story that is similar to me, and it just shows you anything is possible," he said.
That includes playing at the next level, as Smith has already committed to play basketball for head coach Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers once his prep career is over.
"It felt good, honestly," Smith said of his commitment. "Just to not have to worry about all that stuff and just being able to play and enjoy my senior year."
And, he will continue to look to prove people wrong about him.
"I always have something to prove. No matter how good or bad I play, I always will have to show people how good I am. I want to start as a freshman at Purdue. I feel like I have the skillset and passing ability to come in and make a huge impact. And, again, I’m going to need to prove people wrong and get to work," Smith said.
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