2027 5-star L.J. Smith commits to Ohio State

Five-star guard L.J. Smith committed to Ohio State, he told ESPN's Paul Biancardi.

Smith is the top-ranked shooting guard and No. 10 overall prospect on the ESPN 100 for the 2027 cycle.

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound recruit picked the Buckeyes over offers from Indiana, Kansas, Georgia, and North Carolina, among others.

"I chose Ohio State because it really feels like home to me and it's a place where I can succeed and reach my goals," Smith said, according to 247 Sports' Travis Branham.

Head coach Jake Diebler made Smith a priority after assistant Joel Justus noticed the North Carolina native on the recruiting trail.

"What stood out to me about the staff is how much they believe in me, and the constant effort and communication really meant a lot to me," Smith said.

Ohio State has built some momentum on the recruiting trial in recent weeks. Five-star forward Anthony Thompson committed to the program in October.

Smith dismissed rumors that that he could potentially reclassify, insisting that he plans to remain in the 2027 recruiting class.