OTR Hoops News: 2027 5-star Shooting Guard commits to Ohio State

By: Ross Van De Griek

Five-star shooting guard LJ Smith, out of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, announced his commitment to Ohio State on Thursday.

The 6-foot-4 junior guard chose the Buckeyes over Georgia, Kansas, Indiana, North Carolina, and several others. He also held offers from Memphis, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, among other Power four schools.

Smith is a native of Lincolnton, North Carolina, where he played the last three seasons at Lincolnton High School, including his sophomore season, where he averaged a state-best 33.1 points per game while shooting 45% from inside the three-point line and 32% from behind the arc last season. Smith led the Wolves to a 24-6 record and reached the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) playoffs as a sophomore last season. He also set a state record for most points in a single season with 960.

Smith is a shifty combo guard who can navigate through multiple defenses and finish at the rim with confidence at the point of attack. His ability to keep defenders off balance has improved with his change in direction, as well as controlling his own pace on the offensive end. What separates him from the rest of the guards in his class is that he is a legitimate perimeter threat, where he can shoot from well beyond National Basketball Association (NBA) range off the catch and bounce. On the defensive end, Smith is most dangerous when it comes to guarding on the ball with his length and size, frustrating most guards, where he can alter shots from anywhere in the half-court.

Last summer, Smith played with Team Thad on the Nike EYBL Circuit, where he averaged 14.1 points per game while shooting 42% from behind the three-point line.

Smith becomes the first Buckeye commit for Jake Diebler in the 2027 recruiting class. The Buckeyes had a Top 50 commit in this year’s recruiting cycle in Marcus Johnson before he decommitted and decided to take his collegiate career to the University of South Carolina.

Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast Region Scout & Writer for On the Radar Hoops since 2024. He has been involved in basketball scouting with stops at Prep Hoops since 2022. You can follow him on X @RossVDG14 or reach him via email at rossvdg14@gmail.com