Men's Basketball 5/12/2023 9:00:00 AM Omar Ricardo Aquije

Braeden Smith’s breakout first year

An unforgettable season for the standout guard and Seattle native

Braeden Smith '26 stepped into the starting lineup last fall as a freshman point guard on a basketball team that had won two consecutive Patriot League titles and was expected to bring home a third — and the team didn't miss a beat.

In fact, Colgate accomplished its best season in program history, setting a conference record in wins with 17 en route to capturing another league championship. For the third season in a row, the team punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Playing alongside veterans who know how to win, Smith made an impact from the beginning. In his first collegiate game on Nov. 7 at Buffalo, he scored 20 points with three assists and two steals.

For the season, he averaged 11.6 points per game, 4.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. He started in all 35 games and finished as one of the top freshmen in the nation. His 155 assists set a freshman program record.

"Coming in, I didn't have a lot of expectations. I wanted to come in and work hard and let the chips fall where they may. I wanted to learn from the older guys," Smith said of his first season with the team.

Growing up in the Seattle area, Smith was a leader on his high school basketball team. It's a role that comes naturally. But on the Raiders, he was on a starting lineup with four seniors who won many games together and had significant roles in turning Colgate into a Patriot League powerhouse.

Those seniors — Tucker Richardson '23, Keegan Records '23, Ryan Moffatt '23, and Oliver Lynch-Daniels '23 — were committed to a system forged by Matt Langel, the winningest coach in program history.

It's a system that embraces hard work, learning the game, reading the defense, finding the open man, and doing whatever it takes to win. Personal agendas are cast aside.

For Smith to become a leader at Colgate, he knew he had to learn from his teammates and coaches.

Braeden Smith men's basketball — Braeden Smith raised the Patriot League Championship trophy in his first year at Colgate.

"I came in and had total respect for what they had done and how they do things," he said of his teammates. "They're a very experienced team. I was all ears. As the season went on, I was able to be a part of a lot of those wins. That was also great."

Smith credits his teammates for making his adjustment to Division I athletics smoother. He said there were no gaps between freshmen and seniors.

"Coming in, it was a little difficult to find my voice with the older guys because I'm a freshman," he said. "But they were super welcoming and committed to doing the right things. They were about winning. That's what I appreciated and that made it easier."

He also credits Langel for helping him to evolve as the season went on.

"We have been able to build a good foundation and a good relationship, player-coach wise. He's just so smart and really wise with his words. You are able to learn so much from him. He's been doing that for a long time," Smith said.

Smith said he didn't expect to play every game last season, and is grateful for the opportunity. He arrived at Colgate with an open mind, willing to accept whatever role was given to him. As a result, he thrived.

Langel lauded Smith for his breakout season.

"Looking back on the season, there is lots to be impressed about specific to Braeden," Langel said. "On a championship team that yet again broke program and conference records, his statistical production is remarkable.

"Even more impressive for me, however, was his ability, as an 18-year-old first year, to assimilate to a group of experienced, productive, and veteran players. His basketball acumen, passion for learning and commitment to winning fit the program's culture extremely well."

Off the court, Smith said he loved his first year at Colgate. As he prepares to declare a major, he's enjoyed his courses and has worked with great professors. He's made friends and adjusted to life in Hamilton.

"The community here is awesome," he said. "The faculty is awesome. I enjoyed all of my professors. They were open and understanding. We were able to build relationships over the semester. The students here have been great. I've been able to build friendships I enjoy and appreciate. I really enjoy this atmosphere. It's different from home."

Smith said he's happy he chose Colgate.

In the summer of 2021, with his senior year of high school approaching, Smith and his team played at a tournament in Arizona with college coaches in attendance. Among those watching were Colgate coaches, who expressed their interest in Smith.

Smith was not familiar with Colgate, so he looked online and read everything he found about the University and its basketball program. He saw that the program was on the rise, winning a Patriot League title and punching its ticket to March Madness.

He learned about Colgate's robust academics in a small college-town setting. He visited the campus with his parents in September of that year.

Smith met with the coaches and players. He toured the campus. He liked the idea of studying and playing basketball in a rural college town, a place far different than Seattle. When his two-day visit was over, he felt good about Colgate. In November, he committed to the University.

One key factor in his decision was the program's success.

"You want to win games," Smith said. "You want to play for a winning program. That's what Coach Langel and guys have built over the last several years. It was obviously a benefit for sure."

In Smith's first year, Colgate went 26-9, with a 17-1 conference record. After watching the March Madness tournament from home with his family, Smith found himself on the big stage.

"It was a dream come true," Smith said. "You dream about playing in March Madness. To be able to play with the team that we had and the guys that we had, it was awesome. The experience was great. Unfortunately we didn't come away with the win, but the whole build-up and the atmosphere is only what you dream of."

Smith was born in Charlotte, N.C. His family moved to Kansas City, Mo., and then relocated to Seattle when he was 3. He has two younger brothers and comes from a big sports family.

His parents — Reggie and Kristin Smith — played basketball in high school. He credits them as being crucial in his development as a guard.

"They've been everything," he said. "I appreciate them and love them so much for what they've done for me and my brothers. My mom, she's very understanding, supportive. She gives me tips on what she sees. My dad, he's more of the basketball-talk relationship, telling me what I did well, what I could improve on, what he sees. We watch a lot of basketball together."

One area that Smith wants to improve — and which he discusses with his father — is consistency.

Smith is a student of the game. He watches as much basketball as possible and looks for ways to improve on the court.

He aims for what he calls, "stack days," which means having a good day in the gym and on the court, and then following it up with another good day and then another until he's formed a long streak.

"You just want to stack a good day on top of a good day on top of a good day — as many days as you can," Smith said. "If you continue stacking, you're going to get better and better. That's something I continue to think about. That correlates with consistency."

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Players Mentioned

#33 Oliver Lynch-Daniels: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#4 Ryan Moffatt: F; 6' 7"; Senior

#14 Keegan Records: F; 6' 10"; Senior

#15 Tucker Richardson: G; 6' 5"; Senior

#2 Braeden Smith: G; 6' 0"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#33 Oliver Lynch-Daniels
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#4 Ryan Moffatt
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F

#14 Keegan Records
: 6' 10"; Senior
: F

#15 Tucker Richardson
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G

#2 Braeden Smith
: 6' 0"; First Year
: G