Parents Of 'Jeopardy!' Champ Brayden Smith Create Scholarship In His Honor

Jeopardy! winner Brayden Smith, otherwise known as "Alex's Last Great Champion," will be remembered with a scholarship program created by his parents.

After word of Smith's passing from surgery complications spread, his parents announced The Brayden Smith Memorial Fund, which is "dedicated to furthering the educational aspirations of southern Nevada students." As per the program's website, the program will support pupils who share Smith's passion for learning and fund scholarship awards, conference fees, seminar tuitions, research grants, school supplies, field trips and more.

At just 24, Smith won almost $116,000 during his five-day winning streak in 2020. He was one of the last contestants to appear on the show, alongside host Alex Trebek, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in November. His episode of the game show aired on January 6, alongside Trebek's last batch of pre-taped episodes. Smith is survived by his parents, Scott and Debbie, and three brothers.

On Friday (February 12), Smith's mother, Debbie, took to Twitter to share the sad news. "We are heartbroken to share that our dear Brayden Smith recently passed away unexpectedly. We are so grateful that Brayden was able to live out his dream on @jeopardy," she wrote. Jeopardy! followed up her sentiments with their own statement, writing, "The Jeopardy! family is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brayden Smith. He was kind, funny and absolutely brilliant. Our deepest condolences go out to Brayden’s family. He will be missed."

Photo: YouTube/Jeopardy!