Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State lands 5-star SF Anthony Thompson over Indiana, Michigan and others

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 11:35 AM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes have picked up one of the most consequential commitments 2026 college basketball recruiting cycle.

Making things even sweeter for Jake Diebler and his staff is the fact that the recruit they've landed, 5-star small forward Anthony Thompson, had Michigan high on his interest list among a few other big-time college basketball programs.

It's a big win for Ohio State through and through, and Thompson, who committed to OSU on Tuesday, is a big-time recruit.

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Thompson is the No. 2 small forward recruit in the 2026 class and the No. 8 player overall.

There's also the added bonus for OSU that Thompson, from Hudson, Ohio (Western Reserve Academy), is the top in-state recruit in the 2026 cycle. In-state recruiting may not be as vital in college hoops as it is in college football, but it's still a huge boost for Diebler and OSU to keep one of the most talented players in the country close to home.

✔️Committed

Anthony Thompson has officially committed to The Ohio State University! O-H!#GoBucks⚪️ | @ant_thompson26 pic.twitter.com/ZiPOuIO5rH
— The Ohio State Hoops Insider (@OSUHoopsInsider) October 21, 2025

Indiana was also a major player in Thompson's recruitment, but he ultimately chose the Buckeyes over the Hoosiers and Wolverines. Kentucky, Texas, North Carolina and Purdue were also in the running.

"I picked Ohio State because I felt most confident in the staff being able to help me improve and be able to thrive the best," Thompson said, according to Travis Branham of 247sports.

Specifically, Thompson mentioned Diebler as a driving force behind his commitment.

"My relationship with Coach Diebler is very strong and that played a large role. He has been recruiting me for a long time up to this point," Thompson explained.

Speaking of Diebler, Thompson goes down as the first 5-star commitment that he's picked up since being named head coach at Ohio State in March of 2024. Perhaps surprisingly, Thompson is Ohio State basketball's first 5-star pickup since D'Angelo Russell back in 2014.

He checks in at 6-foot-8, 205 pounds and feels he has the ability to help the Buckeyes in multiple ways.

"I bring lots of offensive and defensive versatility to the program," Thompson said. "From shooting on the perimeter to being able to finish inside and then being able to use my length to disrupt on defense."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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