By Shane Baran
After a prolific start to his high school career at Lincolnton (N.C.), LJ Smith was ready to take his game to the next level. Last year, Smith led all of North Carolina in points per game, and finished 23rd in the nation averaging 33 points. He decided after his junior season to make the leap and play for Oak Hill Academy (VA) his senior year. Leaving his hometown high school was not an easy decision for Smith. But with his sights set on the NBA, it was a step he had to take.
“For me to get better and just get me ready for college,” said Smith.
Regardless of how scouts and evaluators viewed him, he was ranked the 91st best player in the class of 2026. Not only that, but as the number one combo guard in the country. He opted to take a spot on a loaded squad at Oak Hill, and carve out a role for himself.
“It was a big difference coming to Oak Hill, playing with other great players. So it was a little tough adapting to how everybody else played and then coming together. But I feel like I figured it out and just let it come together now,” Smith said.
At 6-foot-4 and weighing 175 pounds, his physique and skill set allows him to be a threat to score from anywhere on the court.
Smith describes his best traits as “shooting and creating for others.” Even though the assist numbers might not light up the scoreboard, his scoring ability is what creates opportunities for teammates.
“The other team really doesn’t want to leave me open,” Smith said. “So I feel like it helps them create gaps where they can attack and get to the rim without my defender going over and helping. So I feel like it’s releasing a lot of pressure on them so they can make it much easier for them.”
His impact on the court isn’t just centered around scoring and the extra attention defenders give him, he also makes the boards a second home of his. Typically a scoring machine combo guard of his stature wouldn’t be an exceptional rebounder, however Smith makes this a big part of his game. His junior year he also averaged eight rebounds a game, a significant number in his position.
“We need the ball, and I want to help my bigs with the rebounds, so they don’t [have] to worry about grabbing as many rebounds,” Smith said. “I just try to help the best I can and I also just want to get the ball.”
Any opportunity to get his hands on the ball, Smith takes advantage of. While his impact is felt on the boards, the basket and really anywhere he happens to be on the floor, his focus is on one thing each and every game.
“All I want is to keep everybody together, have great energy, come out strong and get the win,” said Smith.
Smith is slated to attend Ohio State next year, in a high volume offense that has produced elite scorers like D’Angelo Russell and Michael Redd. However, it wasn’t the history of successful guards that stood out, it was something else.
“I met a lot of coaches, great coaches and staff, and I feel like it’s somewhere where I can go be myself and get better and just develop. Working on getting stronger, faster and I would say improving my IQ, making the right reads, and just playing good basketball,” said Smith.
After a tough loss to Brewster today at the Hoophall Classic, Smith held his head high. Scoring 25 points, grabbing five rebounds and adding two steals to a great effort from the star in the making. It’s clear fans may need to keep an eye out for Smith’s name atop draft boards in the 2027 NBA draft.
(Photo by Kyle Valentine/The Student)