There have been Ohio State practices in which LJ Smith has looked like a star. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound freshman guard has hit shots in bunches, utilized his size and playmaking ability and taken over stretches
of play.
Then there have been other practices, common to first-year players – especially those who should technically still be in high school. After those practices, coach Jake Diebler has pulled Smith aside to offer feedback.
You’ve got to be more aggressive. I didn’t feel you today in practice. We need more from you.
It’s part of Smith's learning curve.
“It’s been big, for real,” Smith said. “Adjusting to the speed, the physicality. It’s been a great jump, great leap. It’s been hard, but I’m there, I’m getting through.”
Smith is one of two five-star newcomers to the 2026-27 Ohio State roster, joining forward Anthony Thompson. At least, before his decision to reclassify to the 2026 class, Smith was a five-star prospect. He was ranked No. 25 nationally in the 2027 class according to 247Sports.com. ESPN was even higher on him, ranking him as the No. 11 prospect overall.
With the move to 2026, those numbers dropped a bit. Smith finished as the No. 58 national prospect according to 247Sports and the No. 29 prospect according to ESPN. So there’s no doubt Smith is a talent, but there is a question as to what should reasonably be expected of him during a season in which he was slated to be still playing prep basketball.
One thing is obvious: The player Smith is now figures to be different than the one Ohio State fans should see midseason.
“It’s been really good coming here early, getting started and getting better at the college level,” he said. “It’s been great. I’m developing my game in all aspects, physical, mentally and on the court.”
The early high points have left impressions. Asked to name a player who is not being talked about enough during the preseason, sophomore forward Amare Bynum immediately cited Smith. Junior guard Justin Pippen praised Smith’s 3-point shooting ability. Diebler included Smith on the list of players whose versatility is key to the new-look offense this season.
The trick will be doing it day after day.
“We’re constantly pushing him to keep going further,” Diebler said. “He plays really hard. He’s competitive. He’s talented. What we want to see from him is from a production standpoint is being more consistent.”
Ohio State’s starting backcourt figures to be set for the season. Pippen, a transfer from the University of California, will team with junior John Mobley Jr., an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick last season and the league’s fourth-leading returning scorer. Behind them, transfers Jimmie Williams (Duquesne) and Curtis Givens III (Memphis) are veterans with years of Division I experience, but Smith will be part of the rotation when the season opens Nov. 2 against BYU in Salt Lake City.
“Physically [I’m getting] better and my playmaking has gotten better,” he said. “I’m making the right reads and getting used to the speed of the game. I’ve always got more. [I need to] keep getting better.”
At 6-4, Smith is tied with Williams as the tallest guard on the roster. His size, scoring ability and room for growth all make him a candidate for a bigger role as the year goes on – even if, as of spring, he was looking at a senior season at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
“He molded right into the team right away,” Pippen said. “Off the court he’s funny and we all goof around with him, but on the court I feel like he’s a great player. He can shoot the ball really well. I feel [while] he could be in high school, he’s a college-ready player.”
Ohio State men's basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social, on Instagram at @cdadamjardyor on Twitter at @AdamJardy.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State seeing early flashes of something special from LJ Smith
