Former Purdue star Braden Smith works out for Pacers, shares update on draft process

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Former Purdue star Braden Smith worked out with his hometown team, the Indiana Pacers, on Monday ahead of the NBA Draft.

Smith, a Westfield native, said the workout went well.

“Obviously being 30 minutes from home and being here, obviously I’m well connected with a lot of people here and kind of feels like a family,” Smith said. “So for me to be back here and be with everybody was awesome.”

This was his fourth workout ahead of the NBA Draft. He said he was working out with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and the Denver Nuggets on Thursday as well.

Smith knew having the opportunity to play in the NBA could be in his future when he got to Purdue.

“I always knew I’d be able to play because I feel like I’m smart enough to play,” Smith said. “I have the IQ to play. I can pass. I can score. I can do all those things for any team out here that needs that.”

He is trying to overcome a common criticism of his game that he has faced his entire career, but has no control over — his height. He said that’s been the only feedback he’s been given in the NBA Draft process on ways to improve.

“It’s just all size,” Smith said. “That’s really it… Size has always been an issue and I’ve always found a way around it.”

Indeed he has found a way around it. Smith is the NCAA all-time assist leader, dishing out 1,103 assists in his career in West ...