Z-B star excited to join Ohio State family
ZION -- Ohio State University has had 13 All-Americans in the sport of men's basketball.
The Buckeyes have also had 44 All-Big Ten players and have won 17 conference championships.
(Thomas Delany, Jr./News-Sun)
AREA HOOPSTERS HEADING TO BIG TEN
Illinois
• Brandon Paul (currently a Warren High senior)
• Jereme Richmond (currently a Waukegan High junior)
Ohio State
• Lenzelle Smith (currently a Zion-Benton High junior)
Those were all important numbers for Zion-Benton High junior Lenzelle Smith, but they were not the main reasons the talented Zee-Bee made a verbal agreement on Monday to attend the school in Columbus.
"The coaching staff and the school made me feel like I was part of their family," said Smith, a 6-foot-3 guard who can do it all on the basketball court.
"That's important to me."
Ohio State won a hotly-contested recruiting war against more than 30 other schools -- including Illinois, Indiana, Boston College, Stanford, Georgetown and Virginia -- for the services of Smith, who burst into the spotlight last March while helping the Zee-Bees march to the IHSA Class 4A state-championship game.
"Ohio State is a place where I can continue my education, and grow as a basketball player and as a man," said Smith.
Smith announced his decision on Monday in a packed conference room at Zion-Benton High in front of family, friends, teammates, coaches and the school's administration.
"Everyone is very proud of Lenzelle," said athletic director Lonnie Bible. "Not just for his basketball talents, but also for the work he has done academically, which has made it possible for him to announce his college choice so soon."
Smith, one of the top students in his class at Zion-Benton, won't be able to make it official until November of next year during an NCAA official signing period, but his current prep coach isn't surprised about his selection.
"I got a chance to talk with (Ohio State) coach Thad Matta for about 45 minutes the other day, and if you do get that chance, you would see why Lenzelle was so impressed," said Zion-Benton coach Don Kloth. "Of course, Coach Matta is impressed with Lenzelle, too, because he's such a versatile player who can do a lot of things.
"I think it's going to be a good fit for Lenzelle."
Lenzelle's parents -- Rev. Lenzelle and Teshela Smith -- were also happy with their son's college selection.
"A lot of people have helped Lenzelle get to this point, and we just want to thank everyone," said Rev. Smith, who acknowledged the help of Zion-Benton's facility and coaching staff over the years, along with his son's AAU coaches, Dickey Simpkins and Mike Springs .
Smith is glad his college decision has been made so he can help the Zee-Bees wrap up some unfinished business with his senior teammates Ronald Steward and Markus Yarbrough, who are also being heavily recruited for their talents on the hardwood.
"I can now concentrate on my academics and helping Zion-Benton win a state championship this season and next season," he said.
PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
