News Summary
Hubert Davis, head coach of the University of North Carolina, has extended a scholarship offer to five-star sophomore guard LJ Smith after his impressive performances at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. Smith joins another prospect, CJ Rosser, as a sophomore scholarship recipient from the Tar Heels. His talents have garnered attention from multiple colleges, showcasing his potential as he leads his team in the NCHSAA state playoffs. With numerous colleges vying for his commitment, Smith evaluates his high school options while maintaining a close relationship with UNC.
Lincolnton, North Carolina – Hubert Davis, the head coach of the University of North Carolina (UNC), recently extended a scholarship offer to five-star sophomore guard LJ Smith following his noteworthy performances at the NBPA Top 100 Camp held in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Smith becomes the second sophomore to earn a scholarship offer from the Tar Heels, joining another prospect, CJ Rosser, from Northern Nash.
Smith’s impressive display at the camp has not only caught the attention of UNC but also numerous other colleges. The young athlete has received scholarship offers from a range of institutions, including Cincinnati, Clemson, Georgia, Kansas, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.
This interest from major colleges started earlier in the year when UNC assistant coach Jeff Lebo attended a Lincolnton High School workout to evaluate Smith’s skills firsthand. During his sophomore season, Smith showcased exceptional talent, averaging 33.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. His performance was instrumental in leading his high school team to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state playoffs, further solidifying his reputation as a burgeoning star.
Lincolnton’s head coach, Jalen Littlejohn, praised Smith’s work ethic and performance during a practice attended by Lebo, noting that Smith’s shooting was nearly flawless. This intense level of skill and determination has contributed to his current ranking as the No. 29 player in the country for the class of 2027 according to 247Sports. Smith is recognized as one of the top prospects in North Carolina’s recruiting class.
Smith’s relationship with UNC deepened during a visit to the campus to watch a game against Pittsburgh, where he was impressed by both the atmosphere and the performance of standout scoring guard RJ Davis. After receiving the scholarship offer, he indicated that Hubert Davis expressed a strong desire to cultivate a relationship and to monitor Smith’s development as an athlete.
This summer, Smith is competing for Team Thad in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL), averaging 14 points per game with a notable shooting percentage of 44 percent from three-point range. He has been focusing on enhancing his defensive skills while also learning advanced offensive and defensive concepts at elite basketball camps.
Looking ahead, Smith is evaluating his options for high school next season. He is considering staying at Lincolnton, transferring to Combine Academy in North Carolina, or heading to Prolific Prep in California or OTE in Atlanta, Georgia. Although he has received multiple offers, he remains appreciative of the opportunity from UNC, which has been his dream school since he was a child. Smith emphasizes that he is keeping his options open as he navigates the recruiting process.
This scholarship offer from UNC marks a significant milestone in Smith’s basketball career, potentially shaping his future in the sport as he continues to develop his skills and explore his options at the next level.
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Additional Resources
- Tar Heel Times
- Wikipedia: LJ Smith
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Search: UNC basketball
- 247 Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: high school basketball
- Phenom Hoop Report
- Google Scholar: basketball recruiting
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
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