By: Casey Madison (X/BleedBlueCasey) | Photo Credit: 247sports
One of the nation’s premier recruits, Anthony Thompson will narrow his college schools in the coming weeks. Kentucky finds themselves in a strong position in his recruitment as he inches closer to his decision.
Player Overview
Thompson, the 6-foot-7 small forward from Western Reserve Academy (Ohio), is the No. 3 small-forward in the class of 2026. With a 7’3 wingspan, he brings elite length, and versatility regarded as a modern “3-and-D wing”.
Kentucky’s Recruitment Timeline
Kentucky began recruiting Thompson before the 2024-25 season even started, being one of the first prospects Kentucky heavily prioritized in the Class of 2026.
- October 11th, 2024: Thompson attended Big Blue Madness in Lexington on an unofficial visit in Lexington
- October 12th, 2024: He received a scholarship offer from Kentucky.
- Janurary 4th, 2025: he returned for an unofficial visit and was in attendance for the Kentucky vs Florida game in Rupp Arena
- April 22nd, 2025: Head coach Mark Pope and assistant Cody Fueger visited Thompson in person
- July 2025, Thompson confirmed Kentucky remains in weekly contact, mostly Cody Fueger
This approach has put Kentucky in the mix for other elite programs, such as Auburn, Indiana, BYU, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Purdue, and many others.
Coaching Connection & Staff Presence
Assistant coach Cody Fueger is leading Kentucky’s recruitment of Thompson and has been instrumental in keeping the Wildcats as a serious player. Thompson is listed as “warm” on 247sports’ interest meter, which is a sign of Kentucky firmly being in the mix. He has praised the frequency and depth of his conversations he has had with Kentucky’s staff:
“We talk constantly, I’ll say probably every week,” Thompson told A Sea of Blue. “They check in with me and talk about my fit in the program [constantly].”
Fueger, who followed Pope from BYU to Kentucky, has leaned heavily into the Wildcats’ fast-paced, modern system, which is something Thompson has taken note of.
Fit In Kentucky’s System
One of Kentucky’s biggest advantages in Thompson’s recruitment is how clearly the program has outlined his role. On his visits, inclduing the January game in Rupp, he observed wings like Jaxson Robinson and Koby Brea, and how they’re utilized in the MPO (Mark Pope Offense).
“They showed me how I’d fit in their system… It’s definitely a spot I could see myself thriving in.”
Kentucky envisions Thompson as a positionless wing who can defend multiple spots, and knock down outside shots, whilst also handling the ball in transition, all of which align with his current strengths.
What’s Next?
Anthony Thompson has already trimmed his list from over 30 offers to around 15 schools, with plans to cut that number to 7 or 8 in the coming weeks. Unofficial visits are expected later this summer, with Kentucky strongly positioned to receive another trip. An official visit to Lexington is likely to follow this fall. Even though he has visited twice now, they were unofficial both times.
A commitment could come before the end of the year, depending on how those finals visits unfold — and if you’re a Kentucky fan, you have to be feeling pretty good about his recruitment thus far.
