.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Braden Smith normally wears the number 3 on his jersey for the Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball team.
He's grown into one of the most storied players in the country in that number, too. But not on Sunday in the Big Ten title game. Nope, he's got 41 on his back.
Smith didn't start the game with 41.
But by the end, that's what he had one, and it was going incredibly well.
Why is Braden Smith wearing number 41?
Braden Smith is wearing 41 because he needed a backup jersey.
His number 3 jersey got ripped across the front, and it was too badly torn to keep wearing.
The backup uniform that the equipment staff had was the No. 41, and so that's what Smith got.
A uniform change for Braden Smith: he is now wearing No. 41. pic.twitter.com/wd1PNALdov
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 15, 2026He also played incredibly well once putting on the 41:
#3 Braden Smith: 1-6 from the field
#41 Braden Smith: 5-5 from the field
Icon.
Athletes are superstitious. Maybe Smith should just keep these digits instead.
English (US)