Ohio State basketball five-star freshman Anthony Thompson has already made one substantial change since arriving in Columbus
Anthony Thompson has a lot of hype around him ahead of his freshman season with the Buckeyes. He’s already made one change that’ll only raise eyebrows even more before he plays a game at Ohio State.
Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball freshman Anthony Thompson is already making waves during summer workouts in Columbus. The former top-10 overall recruit and 5-star forward out of Western Reserve Academy in Ohio is the most highly touted player the Buckeyes have had since D’Angelo Russell arrived in 2014. With high expectations surrounding the McDonald’s All-American left-handed forward, the early returns on his physical development are encouraging.
Anthony Thompson showing positive early signs in Columbus
According to Eleven Warriors, Thompson is up to 218 pounds, a gain of roughly 13 pounds since he arrived on campus at around 205. For a 6-foot-9 forward with length, ball-handling ability, and knockdown shooting range from deep, adding that size and strength matters. Playing in the Big Ten demands physicality, and Thompson wasting no time buying into the Ohio State strength and conditioning program is a great sign of what he could become.
“I’ve already gotten a lot better,” Thompson said via 11W. “I’ve already accomplished some of the goals that I’ve had coming into the summer.”
Thompson is the level of player who doesn’t come through Columbus often. He has a chance to be a lottery pick, and his time as a Buckeye could last only one season. Ohio State last produced first-round NBA Draft picks in 2022 and 2023 when Malaki Branham and Brice Sensabaugh both heard their names called on draft night. Bruce Thornton was one of the best guards to ever run through the program, but he went at the top of the second round in the most recent NBA Draft. Thompson has the talent to push back into first-round territory for the Buckeyes.
Buckeyes have a potential Big 3 for 2026-27
Ohio State has high expectations heading into the 2026-27 season after reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years under coach Jake Diebler. The Buckeyes return John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum, and adding Thompson into the mix gives them a potential Big 3 to be reckoned with in Big Ten play.
Ohio State should be a surefire NCAA Tournament team, and if Thompson is as good as he could be, he’s the kind of player who helps lead a deep NCAA Tournament run. The first update on his time in Columbus is a positive one. This summer will be telling for how much more he can grow before the season tips off.