Top 2026 recruit Anthony Thompson, a 6’8”, 205-pound forward from Hudson, Ohio, currently playing at Western Reserve Academy, has given his verbal commitment to Jake Diebler and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Thompson, a program changing recruit, chose the Buckeyes over a final list that included Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. Ranked No. 7 nationally by 247Sports and the top player in Ohio, he becomes Ohio State’s highest-ranked recruit since Jared Sullinger and joins a three-man 2026 class, now ranked in the top five nationally, that also features Ohio’s Mr. Basketball Marcus Johnson and forward Alex Smith of Upper Arlington, who currently plays at Prolific Prep.

A skilled left-handed forward, Thompson is a natural scorer with elite length and shot-making ability. At 6’8” with a 7’3” wingspan, his ability to score off the dribble in traffic is elite, rising into a high, nearly unguardable release. He’s also adept at attacking the rim and finishing with either hand, which gives him a unique dynamic at his size. Last season, he averaged 22 points per game on 53% shooting, including 39% from three and 88% from the free-throw line.

Defensively, Thompson is a dynamic playmaker, averaging 1.9 blocks and 1.6 steals per game while using his length to close gaps and contest shots. Still just 17 years old—he turns 18 in August 2026—Thompson’s combination of size, athleticism, and two-way potential gives him the tools to make an immediate impact when he arrives in Columbus next season.

-Jason Harris