BOOM! 5-Star guard LJ Smith will reclassify to the 2026 recruiting class and join the Ohio State basketball team for the upcoming season. 

The Buckeyes now have two 5-star recruits in the same class since 2008, as former 2027 recruit LJ Smith has announced his decision to reclassify and join the team for this season.

BREAKING: Five-star guard LJ Smith is reclassifying from 2027 to 2026, multiple sources tell VFTSP.

He’ll join the team within days.

Ohio State now has two of its eight highest rated players EVER on this year’s team. pic.twitter.com/HPjx1WRHzQ

— Views From The Schott Podcast (@TheSchottPod) June 15, 2026

LJ Smith now joins fellow 5-star Anthony Thompson and 4-star power forward Alex Smith in the 2026 class. The Buckeyes also made a late move, adding Serbian center Vuk Lazarevic. Smith committed to the Buckeyes in November of 2025 over schools such as Kansas, Texas, North Carolina, and others.

When asked about his decision, Smith told 247Sports, “I chose Ohio State because it really feels like home to me and it’s a place where I can succeed and reach my goals.” Now, the 5-star will look to come home early and achieve those goals.

A combo-guard, Smith’s ability to score will provide a spark in this Ohio State offense. The Oak Hill Academy product averaged 16.8 points and 2.5 assists in 16 games this past season. The addition of Smith, alongside Justin Pippen and John Mobley Jr., will add much-needed depth in the backcourt after losing Bruce Thornton to the NBA Draft. The Buckeyes also lost guard Gabe Cupps to the transfer portal.

To put it simply, the Buckeyes are adding a star in LJ Smith. The addition of Smith alongside young talents such as Anthony Thompson and Amare Bynum should give Buckeyes fans optimism as the team looks to avenge last season’s NCAA Tournament loss to TCU. A lot is riding on this season for Jake Diebler and the Buckeyes, but rest assured, the team will have the talent for a deep postseason run in 2026.