Ohio State five-star signee Anthony Thompson excited for McDonald's Game

Anthony Thompson hopes people will tune in to see him play March 31.

Not just that night, but for years after. The five-star Ohio State signee will be part of the McDonald’s All-American Game, checking off another item on the 6-foot-9, 205-pound forward's long list of career goals.

Related Anthony Thompson article: After signing for Ohio State, five-star forward Anthony Thompson has prolific game

High on that list? A lengthy NBA career. Should that come to pass, Thompson wants this experience to be part of the story.

“Hopefully," he said, "I can make a good career in the NBA and then people can look back on high school and say, 'Yeah, we kind of saw early on.' ”

There are quite a few steps between now and then, but Thompson is a projected lottery pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. According to 247Sports.com, he is the No. 7 player and the No. 3 small forward in his class.

He’s also the highest-rated player to sign with Ohio State since Jared Sullinger in 2010 and the program’s first prep signee to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game since D’Angelo Russell in 2014.

“You grow up watching this game every single year,” he said. “To be able to be here this year is a really big honor and blessing for all the hard work and people around me who have helped me get this far.”

Thompson is on the East roster and will wear No. 1.

Since getting to Phoenix for this year’s event, Thompson said he’s been impressed with the level of competition in practice, but he hasn't found it overwhelming.

“I think my ability to shoot the ball and my ability to score at the rim translates a lot,” he said. “I’ve been working a lot on my athleticism and my strength these last couple of years, and I think it’s helped in these practices going against bigger, stronger guys. I think going to Ohio State, it’s going to improve even more.”

Thompson signed with coach Jake Diebler's Buckeyes in November.

“When it came down to it in my recruitment, I think the coaching staff was the biggest thing for me,” Thompson said. “My relationship with them, my relationship with coach Diebler and the entire staff, their efforts in me staying home, when it was time to commit, I was most comfortable with going to Ohio State.”

Thompson spoke to the media a few hours after Buckeyes forward Amare Bynum announced his decision to return for his sophomore year. The two figure to anchor Ohio State’s forward spots next year, and Thompson said he was pleased to hear the news.

“Amare, he’s a monster,” Thompson said. “I’m really excited to play with him. I’m excited to use my versatility and his strength and his power for us to be a dynamic duo next year. I’m just really excited for that.”

Ohio State men's basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.