Braden Smith played with Zach Edey in the 2024 national championship game and followed his large footsteps by becoming an All-American last season.

The Purdue guard had a chance to leave for the NBA over the summer, but, like Edey before him, decided to return for another chance at a national championship under coach Matt Painter.

Smith’s decision earned him another similarity to Edey: unanimous preseason All-American.

Smith earned all 57 votes from a media panel in The Associated Press preseason All-America team released on Monday, a week after the Boilermakers were voted preseason No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time. He was joined on a big-man-heavy first team by Texas Tech‘s JT Toppin (52 votes), Michigan‘s Yaxel Lendeborg (30), BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa (22) and Florida forward Alex Condon (16).

“That’s just how Purdue has always been, how every player has always been,” Smith said. “Paint recruits players, recruits the same people, and that’s how they think, how we think. We always want to be a part of a program like this, a culture like this.”

Smith has been one of the nation’s most productive guards since his freshman season at Purdue in 2022-23. The heady 6-foot guard played a key role on the Boilermakers’ first run to the national title game in 2024, averaging 12 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while setting a school record for minutes.

Smith was even better as a junior last season, becoming the first player in NCAA history to have at least 550 points, 300 assists, 150 rebounds and 75 steals in a season. Smith averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game on a team that reached the Sweet 16.

Toppin’s impact

Toppin had a superb first season at Texas Tech after transferring from New Mexico.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks while leading the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual national champion Florida. Toppin was a second-team AP All-American and the Big 12 Player of the Year before opting to return to a team ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll.

Landing Lendeborg

Lendeborg had a successful stint at UAB, helping lead the Blazers to the 2024 NCAA tournament. After testing the NBA waters, the 6-9 forward decided he wanted a chance to reach the Final Four, so he stayed in college and transferred to Michigan.

The addition of Lendeborg helped the Wolverines earn a No. 7 ranking in the preseason poll after reaching the Sweet 16 a year ago.

Last season, Lendeborg joined Indiana State‘s Larry Bird as the only players to have 600 points, 400 rebounds and 150 assists in a season. He averaged 15.8 points and 11 rebounds per game in two seasons at UAB, earning American Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors both years.

AJ arrives

BYU took a big step in its first season under coach Kevin Young last season by reaching the Sweet 16.

The No. 8 Cougars have even higher expectations this season after landing Dybantsa.

The nation’s No. 1 recruit had nearly every major program jockeying for his services but chose to play in Provo. The athletic 6-9 forward is an efficient scorer who finishes strong at the rim, has a good midrange game and is a superb defender — attributes that have him projected as a potential No. 1 NBA draft pick.

Condon returns

Condon announced he was heading to the NBA draft after Florida’s national championship last season before changing his mind.

The 6-11 Australian averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while leading Gators with 49 blocked shots. Condon was superb in the national title game against Houston, finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, diving for a loose ball in the closing seconds of the 65-63 win.

Condon returned for a chance to lead the Gators to consecutive national titles and helped them earn a No. 3 ranking in the AP preseason poll.

The Pakistan Football Federation has entered into a formal partnership with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to increase cooperation and promote football development between the two countries.

According to PFF sources, a memorandum of understanding was signed on Oct 18 by PFF President Mohsin Gilani and SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal. 

Officials said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to raising football standards and creating pathways for players, coaches and officials from both nations.

Under the MoU, the two federations will collaborate in several key areas, including coach development, women’s football and youth football. 

The partnership also ensures the launch of exchange programs, enabling players and coaches to train in each other’s countries to gain international exposure and experience.

In addition, the federations plan to organise joint training camps and workshops to improve technical expertise and promote grassroots initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent.

PFF sources said the collaboration marks an important step toward strengthening Pakistan’s football infrastructure and building stronger regional ties through the sport.

South Africa’s lower order staged a remarkable fightback on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test, with Senuran Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj leading the resistance after debutant Asif Afridi’s brilliant five-wicket haul had earlier put Pakistan in command.

At one point, Pakistan seemed poised for a significant first-innings lead as South Africa stumbled to 235-8, but Muthusamy, Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada turned the tables with crucial partnerships.

The visitors not only wiped out the deficit but also managed to take a slender lead, with Muthusamy registering his career-best score.

Resuming at 185-4 overnight, South Africa lost Kyle Verreynne (10) in the very first over of the day, courtesy of Asif Afridi.

The debutant then dismissed Tristan Stubbs (76) and Simon Harmer (2) in quick succession, tightening Pakistan’s grip.

However, Muthusamy found a steady ally in Marco Jansen, adding 25 valuable runs for the eighth wicket before Noman Ali broke through.

Maharaj then joined Muthusamy, and the pair frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers with a resilient 71-run stand.

Pakistan missed several chances in the field dropping three catches and a stumping allowing the South African pair to rebuild.

Maharaj’s gritty 30 eventually ended when Noman struck again.

Rabada then joined forces with Muthusamy, and the duo added a defiant unbeaten 73-run partnership for the final wicket. Rabada played aggressively, bringing up a quickfire half-century off just 38 balls.

By stumps, South Africa had reached 381-9, with Muthusamy unbeaten on 86 and Rabada on 51.

Meanwhile, Asif Afridi etched his name in cricket history, becoming the oldest player to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut at 38 years and 299 days surpassing a 92-year-old record held by England’s Charles Marriott (37 years, 332 days).

Earlier, on Day 2, South Africa had lost Ryan Rickelton (14), Aiden Markram (32), Tony de Zorzi (55), and Dewald Brevis (0).

Shaheen Afridi, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali picked up a wicket apiece to support Asif’s heroic spell.

Pakistan, batting first, had earlier suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last five wickets for just 17 runs.

From a commanding 316-5, the hosts were bowled out for 333 after a sensational spell by Keshav Maharaj, who claimed all five of the final wickets.

Pakistan got off to a steady start as openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique put on 35 runs for the first wicket before Imam was bowled by Simon Harmer for 17 off 35 balls.

Abdullah Shafique continued with composure, combining aggression with patience to counter South Africa’s bowling.

Skipper Shan Masood joined him and displayed positive intent, hitting two towering sixes as Pakistan reached 65-1 after 20 overs.

The duo built a 50-run stand before lunch, maintaining momentum.

After the break, both batters guided Pakistan past 100. Masood reached his 13th Test fifty, while Shafique notched his sixth.

Their 111-run partnership for the second wicket ended when Harmer dismissed Shafique for 57 off 146 balls.

Babar Azam contributed 16 off 22 balls before falling to Keshav Maharaj, leaving Pakistan at 167-3.

Masood narrowly missed a century, scoring 87 off 176 deliveries with two fours and three sixes.

Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel added 34 for the fifth wicket before Kagiso Rabada trapped Rizwan lbw for 19, reducing Pakistan to 246-5 in 84.5 overs.

Resuming day two at 259-5, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha stabilised the innings, adding 70 for the sixth wicket.

Shakeel brought up his ninth Test fifty, while Agha contributed 45 off 76 balls with five boundaries before being dismissed by Maharaj.

Maharaj then struck again, removing Shakeel for a well-crafted 66 off 147 balls.

He continued his dominance by dismissing Shaheen Afridi for a duck to complete his five-wicket haul, and later accounted for Sajid Khan (5) and debutant Asif Afridi, as Pakistan were bowled out for 333 in 113.4 overs.

Maharaj finished with outstanding figures of 7 for 102, while Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada took a wicket apiece.

For Pakistan, captain Shan Masood top-scored with 87, while Saud Shakeel contributed a solid 66.