Since Jake Diebler has taken over the Ohio State basketball program, the on-court results have been mixed. The Buckeyes still haven't made the NCAA Tournament in the last three years, which is a streak Diebler wants to end. This season, he is determined to do so.
On the recruiting trail, Diebler has done a very good job of bringing in some top recruits. Next year, five-star recruit Anthony Thompson will be taking the court for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He's the first five-star recruit Ohio State has had in a decade. Diebler has shown that he can recruit.
With the 2026 class signed, sealed, and delivered, the Buckeyes have turned their attention to the 2027 recruiting class. Diebler has already landed a stud from that recruiting class, and he is looking like he is ready to fully turn this basketball program around.
Ohio State basketball team scores a commitment from LJ Smith
LJ Smith, a four-star recruit out of Oak Hill Academy, has committed to the Buckeyes. Smith is a combo guard who is from Mount of Wilson, Virginia. He stands at 6'4 and 180 pounds. Smith chose Ohio State over Tennessee, North Carolina, Kansas, and Georgia.
Adding a player with Smith's skills this early in the 2027 class is great for Deibler's momentum as he tries to build that class up. Smith can be a player that Diebler builds around as he gets the rest of his class together. Diebler has shown that he likes adding players from the transfer portal, too.
How Diebler balances adding high school recruits and players from the transfer portal will determine the program's success in the next few years. The Buckeyes have to figure out a way to build chemistry so they can make their goal of winning in the NCAA Tournament.
Keeping Smith committed for a whole year will be a challenge. Diebler lost a commitment from Marcus Johnson right before Signing Day, so he understands that things can change. Right now, Smith looks like another blue-chip recruit to join the program.