Analysis: 2027 Four-Star Guard LJ Smith Commits to Ohio State

Posted By on November 20, 2025

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LJ Smith, a 2027 5-Star Guard from Oak Hill Academy, has committed to the Buckeyes, becoming the second five-star commit under Jake Diebler in a week.

Jake Diebler and the Buckeye staff have been on fire in November on the recruiting trail, first landing their first five-star recruit since 2014 in Anthony Thompson, and now landing a second five-star recruit in eight days with LJ Smith announcing his commitment on Thursday. 

“It’s a place that feels like home, and the coaching staff is a bunch of really great guys who believe in me. I really think they can help me succeed and reach my goals.” Smith said to Adam Jardy from The Columbus Dispatch

Smith is an ESPN five-star and tenth-ranked player in the Class of 2027. According to 247 Sports, he is a four-star player and ranked as the twenty-eighth best in the Class of 2027.  Smith recently transferred to Oak Hill Academy, which has produced Basketball Hall of Famers like Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Jerry Stackhouse, and Rajon Rondo. Before transferring to Oak Hill, Smith averaged 33 points per game as a sophomore at Lincolnton High School in North Carolina and set the NCHSAA sophomore record for points in a season with 960. 

The Buckeyes beat out programs like North Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, and over two dozen more that had interest in the sharp shooter. Adam Jardy from The Columbus Dispatch shared a quote from Smith about the Buckeyes staff. 

“I had a good feeling (with the Ohio State coaches),” Smith said. “They were family-like, and the track record they have with players they’ve coached and developed is really good.”

What does this commitment mean for Ohio State Basketball?

With Bruce Thornton leaving after this season, Jake Diebler needs a guard who can make any play on both sides of the court. John Mobley Jr has been a great shooting guard as he demonstrated last season as a Freshman and so far in his short span as a Sophomore. Smith is a 2027 recruit, which means we may not see him in the same lineup with Mobley or Anthony Thompson if both decide to go pro before he arrives on campus. If there is a chance for Smith to reclassify into the 2026 recruiting class, Diebler can breathe a sigh of relief that he will be able to add another all-around guard to a team losing one of the best players in the school’s history in Thornton. 

When Diebler was hired, there was some backlash regarding his recruiting in the transfer portal, as Aaron Bradshaw, Meechie Johnson, and Sean Stewart were underachievers coming from Diebler’s first class. But in the last calendar year, he has landed three players ranked in the top 150 or higher in each of the 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes. The staff has also landed a very talented 2025-26 transfer portal class. 

The Buckeyes are 4-0 right now, but if we look ahead to the 2026-27 season, a lineup could be shaped up like 1.) LJ Smith 2.) John Mobley 3.) Anthony Thompson 4.) Devin Royal 5.) TBD. The team that the staff is building right now through recruiting and the portal has a chance to keep up the momentum and play on the court. The fanbase hasn’t seen this level of recruiting since Thad Matta when it comes to landing big-time recruits. Coach Diebler has always been known for being a great recruiter, according to former players. The key is finding a staff who can help develop, and so far, Mobley and Devin Royal both look much more improved this season than last season and like what Smith said, he believes in what the staff is building on the court.

The Future is bright in the Buckeye State, and the momentum continues as The Basketbucks are winning on and off the court.

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