Ohio State basketball’s major roster change has raised the pressure on Jake Diebler for next season
Ohio State basketball has made a major five-star addition for the 2026-2027 roster. As a result, the pressure is on Jake Diebler’s team to take a step forward.
The Ohio State Buckeyes basketball program got some great news to start the week with a major addition for its 2026-2027 roster.
News broke that 2027 recruit combo guard LJ Smith would be reclassifying into the 2026 class and enrolling in Columbus this summer. It’s a significant five-star talent addition for the Buckeyes who should play a key role for Ohio State in 2027.
Ohio State’s roster next season is going to be the best one Jake Diebler’s had in Columbus, and potentially one of the best for the Buckeyes in quite some time talent-wise.
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Smith gives the Buckeyes two five-star additions for the 2026 recurring class with the elite guard joining wing Anthony Thompson as the two headliners in a three-man class. Smith was the No. 25 recruit nationally in the class of 2027, per 247 Sports Composite. When pairing the young incoming talent with what Ohio State already has, we’re looking at a very talented team.
Smith and California transfer Justin Pippen should battle for the starting point guard spot with the odd man out being a key sixth man. A’Mare Bynum will be a forward for the Buckeyes likely joined by the freshman Thompson in the starting lineup.
The five spot should come down to former Baylor transfer Josh Ojianwuna and Kentucky transfer Andrija Jelavic battling for the job. We could be seeing the Buckeyes going small with three guards (Smith, Pippen, and Mobley) at times this season, which is an exciting thought with the talent.
Ohio State’s bench options will include Curtis Givens, Jimmie Williams, Ivan Njegovan, and freshman Alex Smith. I think we’re looking at the most talented rotation in Columbus in years.
Of course, the roster has to gel together and it could take some time. Smith being a summer enrollee will give him plenty of time to get acclimated with the team before the Buckeyes’ season rolls around in November. Ohio State went 21-13 last year with a first-round exit in the postseason. Pressure is on Diebler to make a push to get out of the round of 32 in 2026-2027.