Why Anthony Thompson Is the Buckeyes’ Best NBA Draft Prospect in Over a Decade
The 2027 NBA Draft class isn’t expected to carry the same star power as the two classes before it, but a handful of prospects still have a real chance to work their way into the upper tier of picks. One of the most promising names on that list is Ohio State freshman forward Anthony Thompson, a dynamic scorer who many evaluators believe could be college basketball’s breakout star this season.
Thompson arrives in Columbus as Ohio State’s highest-rated recruit since Jared Sullinger, the former five-star big man who went No. 3 overall in the 2010 recruiting class. That comparison alone has made Thompson a must-watch player for Buckeye fans — and a name NBA scouts are already circling more than a year out from the draft.
Anthony Thompson’s Player Profile and Recruiting Background
- Position: Forward
- College: Ohio State
- Class: Freshman
- Height: 6-foot-8
- Weight: 215 pounds
- Draft age: 18.9
A native of Lebanon, Ohio, Thompson began his high school career at Lebanon High School before transferring to Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, for his final two seasons. He earned McDonald’s All-American honors — Ohio State’s first McDonald’s All-American commit since D’Angelo Russell in 2014 along with Naismith Third Team All-American recognition. Ranked as a consensus five-star recruit and the No. 7 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite for the 2026 class, Thompson chose Ohio State over offers from Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Purdue, Michigan, and Texas, among more than 30 total scholarship offers.
He capped his senior season at Western Reserve Academy averaging 24.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting 47% from the field and 35% from three-point range.
Anthony Thompson’s Biggest Strengths as an NBA Draft Prospect
Elite Size and Length for the Forward Position
At roughly 6-foot-8 with a strong frame, good athleticism, and a wingspan reported at 7-foot-4 by NBADraft.net, Thompson looks the part of a college-ready NBA prospect from the moment he steps on the floor. That combination of size and length is a big reason scouts view him as a player who can defend multiple positions and space the floor at either forward spot at the next level.
Elite Scoring Versatility
Thompson has established himself as one of the most dangerous scorers in his class over the last several years. He’s not a one-dimensional shooter, either — Thompson combines blistering shot-making from mid-range and beyond the arc with the ability to apply pressure at the rim. His shooting efficiency numbers on the elite AAU circuit have been especially impressive, including a 39.8% clip from three-point range over the adidas 3SSB circuit and an 87.5% mark from the free-throw line during the same stretch. NBA teams covet shooters with his size, and Thompson checks that box as well as almost anyone in his class.
Defensive Playmaking Upside
Thompson’s defensive numbers in high school stand out for a projected lottery scorer. He posted 1.6 steals and roughly one block per game as a senior, numbers that reflect real defensive instincts and anticipation, not just raw size. Scouts have specifically praised his ability to cover ground and disrupt shots using his length a translatable skill NBA teams value even from primary scoring options.
Strong Positional Rebounding
Beyond scoring and defending, Thompson has shown he can consistently use his frame to secure rebounds on both ends of the floor, whether crashing for put-backs on offense or boxing out for defensive boards. Maintaining that two-way rebounding impact will matter even as he’s asked to carry a heavier scoring load at the college level.
Where Anthony Thompson Needs to Improve Before the NBA Draft
Play-Making and Ball Distribution
While Thompson is an advanced scorer, he hasn’t yet shown he can consistently get his teammates involved at a high level. He posted roughly a one-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio during his senior season despite dominant scoring output, and his overall assist totals remained relatively modest. NBA teams won’t need Thompson to function as a primary ball-handler, but continued growth as a willing and effective passer will matter for his long-term projection.
Defensive Consistency Over Full Games
Thompson’s ability to generate steals and blocks is real, but scouts want to see that translate into more sustained, possession-to-possession defensive effort across complete college games. He’ll be evaluated first and foremost as a scorer, but stronger, more consistent defense would meaningfully raise his stock — and his overall value to an NBA franchise.
Improved Strength and Motor
Ohio State assistant coach Jon Diebler, who has worked directly with Thompson, has noted that added strength will be an important part of his development curve at the college level. Thompson also missed the final cut for Team USA’s U18 national team in 2026, with some evaluators pointing to inconsistent motor and physicality as areas that still need sharpening heading into his freshman season.
Anthony Thompson’s 2027 NBA Draft Outlook and Projected Range
Projected Range: Top-Five to Top-10 NBA Role: Scoring Forward Swing Skill: Defense
In a 2027 draft class that lacks the top-heavy star power of recent years, Thompson has a real opportunity to elevate his stock significantly with a strong freshman season at Ohio State. ESPN draft analyst Jeremy Woo has already slotted Thompson as high as the No. 9 overall pick in an early mock draft, while some other outlets have him projected even higher within the lottery. If Thompson can prove he’s an efficient, double-digit scorer against high-major competition, there’s a legitimate path for him to crack the top five to top 10 picks by the time the 2027 NBA Draft arrives.
Why Anthony Thompson’s Freshman Season at Ohio State Matters
Thompson enters this season with the added weight of replacing Ohio State’s departing leadership core, expected to step into a lead-scoring role for the Buckeyes as a true freshman. That kind of usage should give NBA scouts plenty of opportunities to evaluate his shot-making, shot selection, and defensive consistency against high-level competition throughout the 2026-27 college basketball season.
Between his rare blend of size, shooting touch, and defensive tools, Thompson is shaping up to be the most significant NBA Draft prospect to wear an Ohio State uniform since Jared Sullinger more than fifteen years ago. How he performs in Columbus this season will go a long way toward determining whether he ultimately becomes a top-five pick or simply a very good one.
