Braeden Smith had a year to remember in his second season at Colgate.

Braeden Smith was in the locker room, watching film with the team when his coach, Matt Langel, broke the news.

Smith was named the 2023-24 Patriot League Player of the Year.

For the second-year point guard from Seattle, the news came as a surprise.

“I was shocked,” Smith said. “A little taken back by it. I thought we had a pretty good season — I had a pretty good season. But I was honored as well. I felt blessed for sure.”

After finishing among the top rookies in the nation a year ago, Smith had another breakout season with the Raiders. But it didn’t come easy for the sophomore. 

In his first season at Colgate, Smith was a starter playing alongside seniors Tucker Richardson and Oliver Lynch-Daniels — two exceptional scorers who were crucial pieces on a Raiders’ team that won multiple conference championships.

But when Colgate began the 2023-24 season, Richardson and Lynch-Daniels had already graduated, leaving two sizable holes in the lineup. 

For Smith, it meant he had to shoulder more of the offense than he did as a rookie. It meant he had to carry the ball much more than before. And with six new Raiders on the roster, including five first-years, Smith had to take on a bigger leadership role.

Smith welcomed the new challenges. Still, his second year proved to be nothing like the first.

As the Raiders battled through a tough non-conference schedule, with first-years adjusting to the game and the team searching for its identity, Smith had to learn on the fly.

Knowing how to lead in the locker room and on the court was a work in progress, but Smith figured it out with help from his coaches and the seniors on the team. 

But there were other challenges as well. On nights when his shot was off, Smith had to find other ways to help the Raiders, whether it meant setting up a play, grabbing more rebounds, or battling for a loose ball.

This season, Smith led the Raiders in scoring by averaging 12.2 points per game. He did plenty of other things to make an impact — especially on defense. And he grew in all aspects of his game as a sophomore. 

Smith, however, said there’s still things he wants to improve. 

“I’m still trying to work on my mental toughness,”he said. “I’m trying to stay even keel. That’s a challenge I’m faced with and trying to work on."

Colgate went on to win a fourth consecutive Patriot League championship in Smith’s second season. But to make it happen, the Raiders had to endure a few tough losses that proved to be crucial lessons for everyone in maroon and white, including Smith.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot during the regular season,” Smith said. “When to get off the ball, when to be a little bit of a decoy, when to make plays. Just trying to figure out that balance, as well as being tough on the defensive end, communicating, leading.”

Despite having to overcome various obstacles, Smith was a constant presence on both sides of the court. 

Along with leading the team in scoring, Smith averaged 5.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while helping the Raiders become a tough defensive team.

He also hit shots at crucial moments. On March 10, he scored 21 points to help Colgate to a come-from-behind 68-65 win over Bucknell in the Patriot League semifinal game. 

But along with leading the comeback, Smith pulled off one of the biggest plays of the game by chasing down a loose ball and calling timeout while in mid-air before going out of bounds. The play allowed Colgate to maintain possession as it rallied from 15 points down. 

Langel praised Smith for his commitment to the game, his character, and the development he displayed in his second season. 

“He’s an incredible player that does so many things to help our team win,” Langel said. “I can’t emphasize enough how great of a young man he is, and how he embodies what this program is about. His commitment level is so high. I’m extremely excited about what the future can hold for him here.”

Breaking the news to Smith that he won the league’s award for top player was also a special moment for Langel.

“It was a prideful moment for me to be able to share that moment with him,” he said. “Smith is a tireless worker. He does set individual goals, but the team goals are always most important.”

Smith is the first sophomore to earn the award for top Patriot League player since 2014-15. He credits his teammates and coaches for helping him improve on the court.

“I want to thank my teammates and my coaches,” he said. “They have been incredible this year in helping me grow and the camaraderie and community we have, it has been great. Year one as well, but year two especially.”