Omaha World-Herald News Article
SEWARD, Neb. – Among all men’s athletes across the state of Nebraska during the 2024-25 athletics season, Concordia University, Nebraska’s Tristan Smith stood out. In recognition of his incredible senior season with Bulldog Men’s Basketball, Smith was honored on July 26 as the 2024-25 Men’s Midlands College Athlete of the Year by the Omaha World-Herald. The news outlet annually hands out the award to the best Nebraska collegiate athlete outside of the NCAA Division I level.
Back in the spring, the World-Herald also named Smith its Honorary Captain of the 2024-25 All-Midlands Men’s Basketball Team. The accolades have poured in for the Elizabeth, Colo., native, who became the first NAIA First Team All-American in men’s basketball program history. Smith also swept GPAC Player of the Year and GPAC Defensive Player of the Year awards while leading Concordia to a 26-7 overall record and another appearance at the NAIA national tournament. For his combined athletic and academic efforts, Smith was named a Second Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators.
This past 2024-25 season, Smith averaged 20.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals per game and was the conference leader in field goal percentage (.688). In 112 career collegiate games, Smith totaled 1,577 points, 755 rebounds, 247 assists, 135 blocks and 109 steals. Smith helped lead the program to national tournament appearances all four years and to a combined three GPAC championships. He currently owns program records for points in a single game (48) and in a season (677).
As Head Coach Ben Limback told the World-Herald, “You could argue that he had the greatest statistical year in Concordia history. He just had one of those record-breaking seasons you dream about as a player.”
After exhausting his eligibility at the NAIA level, Smith is set to play the 2025-26 season at NCAA Division I University of Northern Iowa. Smith will wear No. 14 for the Panthers.