Ohio State freshman guard LJ Smith is already making noise in Columbus, and the buzz around him goes beyond the usual early-season optimism.
Smith, who reclassified from 2027 to 2026 so he could join this year’s team, was a national top-30 prospect in the 2027 class before making the jump. One of the Buckeyes’ stronger basketball sources said this is not shaping up to be a simple developmental year for the 6-foot-4 guard.
“As this season goes on, he will be pushing for more minutes and maybe even to start,” our guy said. “He has a higher ceiling than some of the (older players).”
That track seems to fit with what OSU coach Jake Diebler said Wednesday when asked about Smith’s progress. Diebler said the freshman is moving in the right direction and has already shown stretches that don’t look like a first-year player.
“Our staff has to remind me sometimes that he's a freshman because he has moments where he doesn't play like a freshman,” Diebler said. “LJ has got an ability.
We're constantly pushing him to keep going further. He plays really hard, he's competitive, he's talented.”
Diebler also said Smith is being pushed hard because the staff expects him to become a productive piece for the Buckeyes.
“He's getting coached hard because he's going to need to be a productive player for us. He's got an ability to play on the ball and off the ball, which helps with playmaking … I've loved what he's done so far.”
There’s more coming from basketball media day, and attention now turns to next Wednesday’s outdoor exhibition against Cincinnati at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason. Sources say more than 10,000 tickets have already been sold for the doubleheader, which also includes Xavier against Dayton.
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