LJ Smith

Momentum continues to build for Jake Diebler and the Ohio State basketball program, both on the court and on the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes just signed their highest-rated commit since Jared Sullinger in five-star forward Anthony Thompson, paired with four-star big man Alex Smith, signaling a clear upswing in talent acquisition. That momentum translated onto the hardwood as well with Ohio State’s gritty 64-63 win over Notre Dame, its first power-conference test of the season.

Now, Diebler has taken the next step by securing a cornerstone for the 2027 class. Four-star guard LJ Smith, one of the most electric scorers in the junior class, committed to Ohio State on Thursday. Ranked No. 35 nationally and the No. 5 combo guard in the 247Sports Composite, Smith also holds the distinction of being the top prospect in Virginia. ESPN is even higher on him, placing him inside the top 10 overall for 2027.

Before transferring to Oak Hill Academy, Smith dominated the North Carolina high school scene in historic fashion. He shattered the state’s single-season scoring record for a sophomore with 960 points in 29 games—an incredible 33.1 points per contest—marking the fourth-highest scoring season in state history at any grade level. His production and upside make him exactly the type of player Ohio State fans hope to see wearing scarlet and gray.

Smith brings elite offensive firepower at 6-foot-4 with impressive length and athleticism. His shooting range extends comfortably to the logo, and his highlights showcase deep threes both off the catch and off the dribble. His ball-handling is fluid, his first step is explosive and his vertical leap allows him to finish above the rim with ease. The athleticism pops off the screen, including a clip where he nearly hits his head on the rim during a two-handed dunk.

The timing of Smith’s commitment is especially meaningful after Ohio State missed on adding a guard in the 2026 class. The Buckeyes once held a pledge from Marcus Johnson, a top-50 guard, before he decommitted in October and later signed with South Carolina. With Bruce Thornton set to graduate after this season, Diebler emphasized on Friday that roster flexibility in the backcourt will remain a priority this spring. He highlighted the increasing complexity of modern recruiting—balancing high school prospects, international players, G-League options and the transfer portal—while reinforcing that fit is always the guiding principle.

As Diebler put it, identifying the right players often means investing countless hours only to hear “no,” but the staff continues to pursue the right fits aggressively and well in advance. In Smith, it’s clear they found one of those fits and acted decisively.

LJ Smith now becomes the foundational piece of Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting class, and his blend of scoring ability, length and athleticism makes him a perfect building block as Diebler continues to elevate the program’s trajectory.