Player of the Week
Braden Smith, Purdue
G – Sr. – 6-0 – Westfield, Ind. – Westfield
Freshman of the Week
David Mirkovic, Illinois
F – 6-9 – Niksic, Montenegro – SC Derby
Braden Smith, Purdue
G – Sr. – 6-0 – Westfield, Ind. – Westfield
- Averaged 22.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists at Purdue scored a pair of wins
- Scored 29 points, including 21 in the second half, in the Boilermakers’ 80-80 win at No. 8 Alabama
- Recorded his 19th career double-double with 16 points and 10 assists in a win over defending MAC champion and preseason favorite Akron
- Claims second career Player of the Week honor
- Last Purdue Player of the Week: Trey Kaufman-Renn (February 10, 2025)
Freshman of the Week
David Mirkovic, Illinois
F – 6-9 – Niksic, Montenegro – SC Derby
- Paired 19 points and 12.5 rebounds last week, as the Illini claimed two victories
- Posted the first 20 point-20 rebound game by an Illini in 53 years with career highs of 27 points and 21 rebounds in the win over Colgate, along with three assists.
- His 21 boards also set the Illini freshman single-game rebounding record, breaking the previous mark of 17
- Earns second consecutive Freshman of the Week award
- Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: David Mirkovic (November 10, 2025)
