Heading into this season, the Ohio State basketball team was only expected to add one five-star recruit. Anthony Thompson was supposed to become one of the best players on the roster as a freshman, with him being a five-star recruit. Despite all of the talent the Buckeyes are losing, he was supposed to help them be pretty good.
Jake Diebler also added a five-star recruit in the 2027 recruiting class when he got a commitment from LJ Smith. Smith was expected to be one of the best players on the team in a couple of years. Now, Smith has decided to reclassify and head to the Ohio State Buckeyes a year early.
Diebler initially didn't think that this was going to be the case. However, he is more than happy to have some more help for this year's team. During an Ohio State workout, the head coach explained why they ended up adding him a year earlier than expected.
Jake Diebler explains bringing LJ Smith to Ohio State a year earlier
Diebler explained that it made sense the more that he talked to Smith about it to bring him a year early, even though they had thought previously that it wouldn't work out.
"There were conversations even going back toward the end of his high school season that, hey, this could be a possibility. That was initiated by them. We had some initial conversations. Then, it really shifted to, hey, maybe we don't think that's best right now. So, those conversations started happening again later in the spring. And we watched him in Memphis with his AAU team, and felt like he could come in, have an impact, add value to the roster as it had formed."
It sounds like Diebler was pleased with what he saw towards the end of the spring and thought he could handle the rigors of a college basketball season. With that being the case, he decided to let Smith come a year earlier, giving Ohio State another dynamic playmaker.
Ohio State's expectations have changed with Smith beint in the fold
With Smith now on the roster, the Buckeyes have another player who can create his own shot off the dribble. That is sorely needed with the departure of Bruce Thornton, who has been the team's best player for the last four seasons. Smith brings an enormous amount of offensive skill.
That brings some changes in expectations for Ohio State. Instead of just making the NCAA Tournament, they are expected to actually advance in March. They are also expected to compete in the Big Ten Conference, and should have a shot to finish in the top four in the standings.
Having two elite young players for the first time in the Diebler era should have Ohio State fans excited about the upcoming season. He's got some postseason experience now, so it's time for him to be able to put all of the talent he's accumulated together and create a winning team. Fans should be pumped about this season.
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