Purdue Athletics is proud to announce volleyball standout Raven Colvin and men’s basketball star Braden Smith were selected as the 2024-25 Female and Male Athletes of the Year. Both student-athletes exemplified excellence through their athletic achievements, leadership and commitment to representing Purdue at the highest level of collegiate competition.
“We’re incredibly fortunate here at Purdue to have student-athletes like Raven Colvin and Braden Smith represent us – both in competition and as members of the broader University community,” said Mike Bobinski, Purdue’s Executive Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Raven capped off a remarkable volleyball career as a senior this past season, etching her name throughout our record books and standing out as one of the Big Ten’s most dominant defensive players. Braden established himself as the premier point guard in all of men’s college basketball this season and was recognized as the Big Ten’s Player of the Year. Both Raven and Braden embody what it truly means to be a Boilermaker, and we are deeply grateful for the pride and passion they’ve brought to Purdue.”
A 2024 Second Team All-America honoree, Colvin concluded her Boilermaker career as one of the most accomplished blockers in program history. Colvin, who previously earned All-America Honorable Mention recognition, departs as Purdue’s all-time leader in block assists and ranks second in both career blocks (642) and blocks per set (1.39). She also achieved the milestone of 1,000 career kills during postseason play, further cementing her legacy among the program’s elite.
The Indianapolis, Indiana, native delivered her most dominant season as a senior, leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally with 1.56 blocks per set. Her performance earned her All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-Midwest Region honors, in addition to Second Team All-America. Colvin also demonstrated impressive offensive consistency, averaging a .346 clip, including a hitting percentage of .500 or better in 10 matches.
As a team leader, Colvin played an integral role in guiding Purdue to one of its most successful seasons under head coach Dave Shondell. The Boilermakers posted a 27-7 (16-4 Big Ten) record, marking only the second 27-win season since the 1980s. Purdue finished fourth in the Big Ten standings and ranked among the nation’s top 10 in assists per set (No. 8), kills per set (No. 8), and blocks per set (No. 9), while achieving the third-highest team hitting percentage (.280) in program history.
“I’m incredibly proud of both Raven and Braden,” said Art and Connie Euler women’s volleyball head coach Dave Shondell. “The leadership, work ethic and passion for their respective games is unmatched and the impact they’ve had on Purdue has been extraordinary. Raven reinforced the standard for what it means to be a Boilermaker – and set the example for generations to come.”
Smith added to his list of awards being named the Purdue Male Athlete of the Year after a junior campaign where he led Purdue to its 10th straight NCAA Tournament appearance and the 2025 Sweet 16. He averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game en route to being named first-team consensus All-America, the Big Ten Player of the Year and the recipient of the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation’s top point guard. He already holds the Purdue career assists record and became the only player in NCAA history to amass at least 550 points, 300 assists, 150 rebounds and 75 steals in a single season.
Smith led the Boilermakers to a 24-12 overall record and a spot in the Sweet 16 this last season. The Westfield, Indiana, native will lead a Boilermaker team in 2025-26 that is ranked in the top three of nearly every “Way-Too-Early” Top 25 poll.
“Congratulations to both Braden and Raven on being named the Purdue Athletes of the Year for their efforts during the past season,” said L. Dick Buell men’s basketball head coach Matt Painter. “Braden had an outstanding season for us, being named a first-team consensus All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year and the recipient of the Bob Cousy Award given to the nation’s top point guard. We are proud of the season and career he has had thus far and think his best basketball is still ahead of him.”
