Player: LJ Smith
Class: 2027
School: Lincolnton
The Class of 2027 here in North Carolina is shaping up quite nicely early on, with several national names you will want to check out and learn. One of the top guards in his class here in NC is 2027 LJ Smith, who put on a clinic last year in helping lead Lincolnton and has proven to many that he is a weapon on the court. After averaging 32.2 points per game as a freshman last year, Smith has his eyes on even more this season, as we recently spoke with him about his summer, his mindset, his personal goals, and some of the latest in his recruitment early on. Check out our latest 1-on-1 with one of the premier guards in the region.
Phenom: How did everything go this summer for you overall? What was your focus and mentality on the court?
Smith: Everything went well for me this summer, coming off the injury and just getting my wind back. On the court, my focus and mentality were to play my game and translate the way I played at my high school to the Circuit.
Phenom: What were you hoping to show more about your game on the big stage?
Smith: I can play defense and guard the other team’s best guard, and I can score the ball at any level and get to my spots whenever I want to.
Phenom: You had an off-the-charts year last year. Heading into this upcoming season, what is your focus this year?
Smith: Becoming a more vocal leader on and off the court, and still leading the team to a good year and possibly make it to states; hope to put up better numbers than last year.
Phenom: We know you are a terrific offensive threat and scorer. But how would you best describe your game in how you like to operate?
Smith: I can shoot the ball so well, people have to come out and guard me, and then I can use my quickness and shiftiness to get to the rack or dish to open teammates.
Phenom: What are the areas you are looking to improve on?
Smith: Right now, I’m doing a lot of running and lifting, getting stronger and faster, and making my shot deadlier putting up 500+ shots a day.
Phenom: Do you like to model your game after anyone?
Smith: Darius Garland, Rob Dillingham, and Tyrese Maxey.
Phenom: What kind of goals have you set for yourself and your team?
Smith: Team goals are having a winning record, winning the conference, winning the conference tournament, and making it to states. My goals are to up my numbers in all categories in the stat sheet, be Player of the Year in the conference, Player of the Year in the District, and make All-State First-Team and MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year and possibly NC Gatorade Player of the Year.
Phenom: What would it mean to you to earn Player of the Year honors?
Smith: That would be really big for me, knowing the talent in North Carolina now and the talent that has passed before me, knowing that I’m one of them.
Phenom: How has it been being recruited early on from schools?
Smith: It has been really good getting a lot of offers and attention from schools. It is making me push harder, knowing there is more to come if I keep working hard.
Phenom: What have you been hearing from schools early on in what they like about your game and what you can provide?
Smith: They like my ability to score the ball and my potential with my size and skill.
Phenom: Remind us of what offers you currently hold?
Smith: Radford, Tennessee State, Jacksonville State, Memphis, Wichita State, Hampton, Stetson, Charlotte, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech.
Phenom: Would you like to visit any of those schools in the future?
Smith: Yeah, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.
Phenom: Why those schools?
Smith: They are my latest big offers and I want to see what the schools are like.
Phenom: Any other schools showing interest that have yet to offer?
Smith: Georgia and Florida.
Phenom: Any dream schools for you?
Smith: Yeah, Duke, North Carolina, and Arkansas.