Amanda Knapp
UNC basketball recruiting has been making waves recently, with some highly touted prospects expressing strong interest in the program. One such recruit is five-star guard LJ Smith, who referred to UNC as his dream school. Smith has been on the radar of UNC's recruiting team for months, and has made multiple visits to Chapel Hill to watch the Tar Heels in action. Another notable recruit is five-star forward CJ Rosser, who became the first 2027 UNC basketball offer recipient from Northern Nash High School. With these promising prospects, UNC is poised to strengthen its basketball program and maintain its competitive edge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | March 10, 2025 |
| School | University of North Carolina (UNC) |
| Player | LJ Smith |
| Position | Guard |
| High School | Lincolnton High School, North Carolina |
| Height | 6-foot-4 |
| Weight | 180 pounds |
| Points Per Game | 33.1 |
| Record | North Carolina sophomore scoring record |
| Assistant Coach | Jeff Lebo |
| Head Coach | Hubert Davis |
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What You'll Learn
UNC's 2027 basketball offer recipient
The UNC basketball recruiting squad has its eyes on the prize for the Class of 2027, and its first offer officially goes to CJ Rosser, a five-star forward from Northern Nash High School in North Carolina. Rosser, who stands at 6'9", is the top-ranked player in the 2027 class according to Rivals. He is a North Carolina native and had a strong sophomore season, averaging 18.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, leading his high school program to a 20-6 record.
Rosser is described as a "thin and mobile forward" with a "real inside-out game" and an abundance of physical tools. He has shown he can knock down jumpers from beyond the three-point line and beat big men off the dribble. Rosser's versatility on the defensive end and ability as a budding two-way player make him a tremendous fit for UNC's system.
Another potential recruit for the Class of 2027 is LJ Smith, a five-star guard from Lincolnton High School in North Carolina. Smith ranks No. 29 overall, No. 3 among combo guards, and No. 3 in North Carolina on the 247Sports 2027 Composite. He has been on the recruiting radar for months and has referred to UNC as his "dream school." Smith averaged 33.1 points per game this season, setting a new North Carolina sophomore scoring record.
UNC is making its intentions clear early on for the Class of 2027, and with talented players like Rosser and Smith in their sights, the Tar Heels are looking to secure some of the top talent in the state and nation.
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Lincolnton High School's LJ Smith
LJ Smith IV is a 6-foot-4, 180-pound combo guard from Lincolnton High School, North Carolina. He is in the class of 2027 and concluded his sophomore season at Lincolnton in 2025. Smith is one of the top combo guards in his class and describes himself as a player who can create opportunities for both himself and his teammates. His favourite NBA player is Steph Curry.
Smith has an impressive list of 18 schools offering him a place, including Charlotte, Georgia, Hampton, Jacksonville State, Kansas, LSU, McNeese, Memphis, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Radford, Stetson, Tennessee, Tennessee State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wichita State.
In his sophomore season, Smith had some notable performances. On February 17, 18, 21, and 25, and March 4, 2025, Smith's stats were recorded in wins against West Lincoln, Bandys, Maiden (twice), and West Caldwell, respectively. On February 28, 2025, Smith was selected as the Lincolnton Player of the Game as the Varsity Boys Basketball team won against Maiden High School by a score of 72-69. On March 4, 2025, the Lincolnton Varsity Boys Basketball team lost to Salisbury High School by a score of 59-67.
Smith spent the summer of 2025 with Thaddeus Young's Team Thad in the Nike EYBL, where he aimed to improve his strength, speed, patience, and game awareness.
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UNC's loss to Duke
However, it is important to note that recruiting decisions are multifaceted and depend on various factors beyond a single game outcome. Smith's attendance at the game demonstrates his strong interest in the program, and UNC's coaching staff has actively pursued him, as evidenced by assistant coach Jeff Lebo's visit to his school in early February. The loss to Duke may not be the deciding factor in Smith's recruitment, and UNC's coaching staff will undoubtedly continue their efforts to showcase the strengths of their program and the opportunities they can offer prospects like Smith.
While the specific details of UNC's loss to Duke are not provided in the source, it is clear that the game was a significant event in the context of basketball recruiting. The presence of top recruits like Smith underscores the impact that these matchups between prominent college basketball programs can have on shaping the future of their teams and the decisions of highly sought-after players. The outcome of the game, though a setback, is just one aspect of the complex and ongoing process of recruiting top talent to UNC's basketball program.
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Smith's North Carolina sophomore record
I found information about Terquavion Smith, a North Carolina (NC) State sophomore, and Dennis Smith Jr., who recorded a triple-double for NC State.
Terquavion Smith's Sophomore Record
Terquavion Smith, a 6-foot-4 guard, helped NC State achieve a 23-11 record and their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2018. Smith was the team's leading scorer with 17.9 points, and also led in assists (4.1) and steals (1.5). He was named to the All-ACC second team and was the second-leading scorer in the ACC. Smith improved on his finishing and was the second-most prolific 3-point shooter in the season with 91 makes. He had notable performances against Virginia Tech in the ACC tournament and Creighton in the NCAA tournament, scoring 30 and 32 points respectively.
Smith had initially considered entering the 2023 NBA draft as a projected first-round pick, but he decided to return for his sophomore season to further develop his skills and help his team.
Dennis Smith Jr.'s Record
Dennis Smith Jr. recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in a historic win for NC State against Virginia Tech, delivering their largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent in 26 seasons. This win came after a disappointing loss to Miami, where Smith also played a role.
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Tar Heel assistant Jeff Lebo
Jeffrey Brian Lebo, born on October 5, 1966, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is an American basketball coach and former player. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team, under head coach and former teammate Hubert Davis.
Lebo joined the Tar Heels coaching staff in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience as a collegiate head coach. Prior to his return to his alma mater, he had a successful career as a player and coach. As a player at North Carolina from 1985 to 1989, Lebo excelled as a sharp-shooting guard under legendary head coach Dean Smith. He was a key member of the 1989 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship team, winning the Patterson Medal in the same year—the most prestigious award given to a Tar Heel student-athlete. Lebo also set numerous records during his time as a player, including in single-game and career three-pointers, free throw percentages, and career assist-turnover ratio.
Following his playing career, Lebo embarked on a coaching journey that spanned over two decades. He began as an assistant coach at various universities, including South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and East Tennessee State. Lebo then took on head coaching roles at Tennessee Tech, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Auburn University, and East Carolina University (ECU). During his time at ECU, Lebo underwent hip surgery in 2017, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2016-2017 season. Despite this setback, he led the ECU Pirates to significant successes, including multiple post-season appearances.
In 2021, Lebo came full circle as he returned to his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, as an assistant coach. As the most veteran member of Hubert Davis' staff, Lebo has contributed to the Tar Heels' impressive record, including over 100 wins and multiple championship berths. Lebo's experience, combined with his deep connection to the university as a former player, positions him as a key asset to the Tar Heels' ongoing success.
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Frequently asked questions
In March 2025, five-star forward CJ Rosser became the first 2027 UNC basketball offer recipient.
Lincolnton High School five-star guard LJ Smith is also expected to join the 2027 UNC basketball team.
Smith is a potent bucket-getter and playmaker, averaging 33.1 points per game and setting a new North Carolina sophomore scoring record.
Hubert Davis is involved in recruiting, as is Tar Heel assistant Jeff Lebo.
For more information about UNC basketball recruiting, check out North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, where Matt Giles provides in-depth analysis and breaking news.
