Lincolnton's L.J. Smith's recruiting and record-scoring pace accelerate

Posted Feb 14, 2025
After averaging 32.2 points per game in 16 games last season, LJ Smith is up to 33.5 this season. His dominance in those 16 games was enough to make the HighSchoolOT all-state third-team. At least two recruiting services rank him as a top-30 sophomore in the country, something he doesn't take for granted after how his freshman season ended. (High School OT)

Related: Basketball Recruiting, Recruiting Board

Newsletter: Dylan Mingo Commits, Henri Veesaar Returns, UNC Softball 14-0, Women's Hoops' 2-0 Week
It was another terrific week in UNC Athletics. Five-star guard Dylan Mingo committed to the Tar Heels, Henri Veesaar returned from injury to help lead...
Mon Feb 23, 2026

Video: Coast To Coast Podcast - UNC Basketball Planting Seeds for March
It was an eventful week in which UNC landed a 5-star guard to its 2026 basketball recruiting class, was throttled at NC State, and got...
Mon Feb 23, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Evaluating Dylan Mingo's game and fit with UNC Basketball
Stephen Gillaspie of No Ceilings discusses UNC Basketball point guard commit Dylan Mingo’s development, the importance of refining his shot, his potential as both a...
Sat Feb 21, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Malloy Smith Offer; UNC Basketball's Injury Situation
UNC Basketball sparks recruitment buzz as Hubert Davis offers Malloy Smith, son of Tar Heel legend Kenny "The Jet" Smith. Meanwhile, urgent questions surround Carolina's...
Thu Feb 19, 2026