Lenzelle Smith Shocks Everyone And Commits Early

September 21, 2008

10:15 P.M. CST

In a most surprising move, we have learned that 6'3 class of 2010 prospect Lenzelle Smith from Zion-Benton High School in Zion, IL has verbally committed to Ohio State University.  While Smith's college choice is not a huge surprise, the timing of his commitment certainly is.  He chose the Buckeyes over offers from numerous other schools, including Illinois, Notre Dame, DePaul, Northwestern, Virginia, Boston College, and Indiana, as well as heavy interest from several others.  

Smith had recently taken a number of unofficial campus visits, including trips to Ohio State, Indiana and Notre Dame.  In addition, he had attracted a considerable number of college coaches to Zion-Benton's open gyms since they started a week and a half ago.  With that being said, it had been generally thought that Smith would wait a while before rendering a commitment.  However, Smith's decision is indicative once again of how recruiting can change in the blink of an eye.

There is no question that Buckeye head coach Thad Matta and hard-working assistant coaches Archie Miller and Alan Major made a huge impression on Smith from the get-go.  They made Smith one of their highest priority recruits among guard prospects in the 2010 class, and ultimately Smith became an even greater priority for the Buckeyes than another Illinois prospect in that class who they had also recruited, that being 6'2 Anthony Johnson from Whitney Young High School in Chicago.  In addition to having Smith on campus, Matta and his coaching staff watched Smith endlessly at the 17-Under National AAU Tournament in Orlando and Matta also attended one of Smith's open gyms last week.

As we have said repeatedly, Smith is one of our favorite players in Illinois and ranks as one of the top three players in the state from the class of 2010.  First and foremost he is a winner and does whatever it takes to help his team come out on top.  He is relentless from start to finish and never takes a play off.  It is therefore no wonder that he is one of the best rebounders that you will find anywhere for a player his size. 

In addition, Smith also handles the ball well, is a superb passer from the wings and the top of the key and can shoot it from beyond the arc.  He is also an elite student who sports a 4.1 g.p.a and conducts himself with the utmost class both on and off the court.

Smith was outstanding during the all-important July evaluation period while competing on the traveling team circuit with Team NLP, especially in Orlando.  During that month he saw his national stock skyrocket and also piled up scholarship offers from many high major schools.

Smith's commitment caps off a stellar recruiting weekend for Matta and the Buckeyes with respect to recruiting the class of 2010.  In addition to Smith, Ohio State also received a commitment from 6'5 Jordan Sibert from Princeton High School in Cincinnati.

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to high school basketball and recruiting in Illinois.