Player: LJ Smith
Class: 2027
Height: 6’4
School: Oak Hill
Committed to: Ohio State
- Smith is the first commitment for Ohio State in the Class of 2027
National Rankings
- ESPN: #10 Nationally
- On3/Rivals: #64 Nationally
- 247 Sports: #28 Nationally
Game Breakdown:
Smith emerged as one of the most dynamic and complete offensive guards in the country, especially as a Top 50 prospect. What makes Smith so unique is his ability to create for himself from anywhere on the floor. Few guards possess his natural understanding of space, pace, and angles, allowing him to manipulate defenders, get to his spots with ease, and consistently produce from all three levels.
At 6’4 with his frame, Smith leverages his size at the point of attack. He navigates through defenses, carves through traffic, and finishes at the rim with impressive bounce and confidence. Smith keeps defenders off balance with an advanced handle, shifting gears, using misdirection, and generating clean looks out of virtually any situation.
However, what truly separates him is his shot-making versatility. Smith is a legitimate perimeter threat with NBA range, capable of hitting tough jumpers off the bounce, step-backs, and deep pull-ups. His fluid, repeatable mechanics allow him to score efficiently from midrange, beyond the arc, or off movement. And importantly, he uses the entire court to his advantage. There isn’t a shot he doesn’t think he can hit—and more often than not, he proves himself right. He has the ability to take over stretches of a game, putting together scoring runs on his own while also operating as a true playmaker. He plays with the swagger and command of a high-level lead guard.
Simply put, Smith is one of the most dangerous offensive weapons on the high school landscape. His blend of size, creativity, deep-range shooting, and ability to generate offense in so many different ways makes him a tough matchup for any defender. With his trajectory, confidence, and ever-growing skillset, Smith will continue to be a premier guard prospect nationally and a player capable of taking over any game he steps into.