Notre Dame Lands Gonzaga Transfer Braeden Smith to Bolster Backcourt

Notre Dame has landed its third transfer portal addition, as point guard Braeden Smith has committed to the program.

The 6-foot, 170-pounder started his career at Colgate, where he averaged 12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 5.6 apg in 2023-24 before transferring to Gonzaga. 

Smith redshirted the 2024–25 campaign, a move designed to help him acclimate to Gonzaga’s system while developing behind veteran point guard Ryan Nembhard.

In 2025-26, Smith played in 35 games (18 starts) and averaged 5.1 ppg and 3.6 apg while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. 

For head coach Micah Shrewsberry, Smith brings immediate value as a veteran floor general with experience in a high-level system. His presence should significantly improve Notre Dame’s ball movement and overall offensive efficiency.

Smith recorded four or more assists in 19 games last winter and that includes splitting time at point guard with Gonzaga freshman Mario Saint-Supery. 

Advanced metrics further highlight Smith’s impact. He ranked No. 12 in offensive efficiency in the West Coast Conference with a 3.42 rating and No. 16 in defensive efficiency at 1.88, marks that would have led Notre Dame by a wide margin last season.

Smith joins a growing transfer class that includes Logan Duncomb (Winthrop) and Ethan Roberts (Penn), as the Irish continue to reshape their roster. 

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