Prep Hoops Ranking: 87th

Next highest ranking: 122nd 247 + Rivals

A player who has really helped Prolific Prep in some key battles this season, Smith is a prospect who has accepted his role on one of the best teams in the country. A stretch forward who has always been able to make shots, his ability to defend against high major athletes has been a major improvement this season and a reason why he’s stuck on the floor in so many games. Ohio State is bringing in two of the top players from Ohio’s 2026 class who will be expected to make early contributions in Columbus.

Prep Hoops ranking: 79

Next highest ranking: 101 (Rivals)

Smith has fit in well at Prolific Prep with some big scoring games as a spot-up shooter and closeout attacker for arguably the most talented prep team in the country. That type of offensive skillset at his size should make Jake Diebler really excited as Smith has been committed to the hometown Buckeyes for over a year. Sitting just outside the top 100 in other national rankings, I could see Smith making a jump if he continues this high level of play for Prolific Prep.

Another 3SSB standout who left his public school for a prep powerhouse, Smith has become one of the top stretch forwards across the country playing for Midwest Basketball Club. After three seasons at Upper Arlington, Smith is now playing for Prolific Prep as a senior on one of the most loaded teams in the country. Smith will also return home next season as he’s been committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes. I could see Smith rising in the national rankings at Prolific Prep this season, it’s surprising to myself he isn’t higher after an impressive summer on the 3SSB circuit and the fact he’s been committed to a strong Big 10 program.

Smith just announced a move to powerhouse Prolific Prep for his senior season so he will be exiting the Ohio rankings. The Upper Arlington product continued to impress at the 3SSB level with a dominant second half to push his team to victory. After some early turnovers, Smith locked in and converted on a few time and space 3-pointers and attacked closeouts with success. Smith also had a sweet lefty dime on a baseline drive for an assist and was active as a defender communicating with his guards on switches and being in the right place for help-side defense. If Smith can continue to make a defensive impact, he should see heavy minutes at Prolific Prep as a senior. Smith finished with a team-high 20 points on 7/10 shooting on Wednesday.

The future Ohio State Buckeye looked at home during both days of elite camp, showing why he’s a high major commit as he was dominant on both ends of the court this weekend. I’ve seen more consistent toughness plays out of Smith recently as he’s finishing through contact, getting loose balls and being assertive with his size in the paint. Possessing all the skills to make an early contribution at the high major level, Smith was obviously knocking down shots from 3-point range and playing above the rim but his best play of the weekend came against Reynoldsburg where Smith made a sweet dribble move going baseline before spinning back to the middle where he rose up for an easy layup. With Smith’s talents on the ball, teams started sending doubles when he would put it on the deck, allowing him to work on passing out of traps and double teams and getting his teammates open shots in the process. Upper Arlington looked like one of the top teams in central Ohio this weekend and Smith is the engine to their success.

Prep Hoops ranking: 105th

Next highest national ranking: 247 139th

Another early commit, Smith is staying home to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes with Marcus Johnson Marcus Johnson OH giving Ohio State two early commits in the 2026 national rankings that are both from the Buckeye state. Smith is a skilled stretch forward who exploded in session I of 3SSB action with ridiculous efficiency numbers for a player scoring 20 PPG. Things are starting to click for Smith on both ends of the court and his rate of improvement makes him a prospect we want to be ahead of the rest of the industry with his ranking. If Smith continues to play at the level he did in Texas for Session I, I’d be shocked if multiple websites don’t add him to their top 125 sooner rather than later.

Smith was exceptional in both games I watched him play this weekend. When Smith does not settle for the three-ball and gets to the rim, that is when he is best. He was trying to dunk off everyone when he went to the rim. He has great touch and skill. His height and length are tough for anyone to contest. When he caught the ball and immediately ripped to the rim good things happened. Then once you worry about that he dots you up from deep. He made some big-time plays and free throws to end the championship game. He was the best player in the tournament in my eyes.

Midwest Basketball Club 3SSB ran through two EYBL teams on Sunday and Smith has continues to improve on both ends of the court. I thought Smith was aggressive in the paint and made a couple contested shots he wouldn’t have in previous years on the grassroots circuit. Making shots at the rim with both hands, Smith could extend for scoop finishes or use his left hand on touch shots around the rim. Playing above the rim when he gets a head of steam, Smith had a couple nasty dunks this weekend. As a cutter, Smith also made himself available along the baseline to catch and finish shots in traffic and make something out of nothing. One of the top stretch forwards in the Midwest, Smith is showing why a handful of high major programs pursued him heavily and why he’s a potential local impact recruit for Jake Diebler and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Smith played one of the better games I’ve seen from him tonight. He got the scoring going with a three and you could tell by the way he shot the ball he was in a rhythm. He then got buckets from all over the floor for the rest of the game. He showed some really good touches in the paint in transition. Used his length to get shots off well. He has a soft shot. He was aggressive tonight and the Golden Bears needed him to be. He is a walking mismatch and showed it.

I thought Saturday was maybe the best defensive game Smith has played. He was everywhere on that end of the court with a handful of deflections, blocks and he consistently stopped dribble drive action and closed passing lanes. When looking at a high major level athlete they should stand out at the high school level and Smith certainly had a big impact defensively on Saturday morning. Offensively he had a couple jumpers and second chance points but was consistently swarmed by the Newark defense. An offensive rebound in the final stages of the game was massive as Smith calmly knocked down both free throws to extend the lead. We’ll see if Smith can keep up this defensive impact and increase his scoring efficiency in the regional semis.