One NC basketball recruit’s journey from small town to big stage at NBPA Top 100
LJ Smith’s basketball training regimen at 8 years old rivaled that of any teenagers.
His dad, Junior, let his friend take Smith to Lincolnton High School and other gyms in the third grade when he worked with older, taller kids in Lincolnton, North Carolina. The drills ranged from dribbling two basketballs at once to sprinting cross court with a resistance band around his waist. Sometimes there would be three cones or a chair for Smith to weave through. His trainer would even wear punch bags, bumping Smith’s arms and chest as he learned to pivot and drive to the rim.
Smith was half the size of the other kids. He looked years younger. But still, he was there, weaving through obstacles, being upset when he missed a shot and keeping a steady dribble alive with one basketball while quickly crossing another in front of his body. Some of the older players beside him struggled; they didn’t have the same control, even with the age advantage.
Everyone could tell he was special at that age. Nine years later, Smith is still proving he’s special.
“You put the time into it,” Junior Smith said. “Everybody’s seeing all the numbers and what he’s doing now, but it’s a lot of hard work that he put into it. He’s missed out on a lot of stuff, but it’s like it didn’t matter to him.”
Smith was invited to the National Basketball Players Association’s Top 100 Camp this week in Rock Hill. The best high school-aged prospects from around the world come to perform in front of top NCAA coaches and scouts. The invitation came in May, after Smith’s sophomore year at Lincolnton High, where the combo guard averaged 33.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and three assists per game. The 6-foot-4 player broke the NCHSAA sophomore single-season scoring record, and has recorded the most 40-point games in Lincoln County.
According to 247 Sports, Smith is ranked No. 29 in the Class of 2027. He is also ranked as the second-best combo guard and third-best North Carolina prospect.
Even with the natural talent, Smith felt like he was overlooked.
“When I was little, I never got any respect,” Smith said. “So the disrespect just keeps me motivated to keep going and going.”
Lincolnton isn’t necessarily known for producing top basketball talent. It’s home to just over 12,000 people; Lincolnton High School’s basketball team has never won a state championship.
Head coach Jalen Littlejohn suspects that Smith is overlooked because he is from a small town, and because of the level of competition the Wolves often face.
Smith broke his foot during his freshman season. He was sidelined for 12 games.
“It was hard going to the games when I can’t play and stuff,” Smith said. “But I just had a talk with my parents. I just kept working on things to get me better.”
His parents told him not to worry. These things happen. His foot would heal. Smith just needed to work even harder when he returned.
He was rusty. Junior Smith said he gained weight and wasn’t in the best shape.
“It’s one of them stumbling blocks he ran into, but he handled it well,” Junior Smith said. “I think he came back an even better player.”
Slowly, he started to become healthy again. He made it a goal to reach 1,000 shots multiple times a week. If he couldn’t reach that, he made sure he at least hit 600 or 700 attempts.
Thirty-point games became commonplace. It became less shocking if he scored 40 points. A low night would be anything below 25.
He broke the records in the same gym he started in all those years ago. But he’s working that hard to make sure it’s just the beginning.
“As a Black kid in this town, your ultimate goal is to get out and do what hasn’t been done,” Littlejohn said.
Last spring, ESPN put Smith in the top 25 in the Class of 2027. He was at lunch when his dad sent the news to him. He was excited. Smith didn’t brag, but he did repost it once Littlejohn shared it.
Smith has dreams of going to the NBA. Still, that’s years away. Right now, he just wants to keep going. He has two years of high school left and at least 18 college offers to sort through. Still, he’s excited for what’s eventually beyond Lincolnton, wherever that may be.
“(I want to) just find a place where I can be me (and) get stronger,” Smith said. “That’s going to develop me and get me to the next level.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
