Ohio State signee Anthony Thompson wins Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio
COLUMBUS – The accolades continue to roll in for five-star Ohio State signee Anthony Thompson. The Hudson (Ohio) Western Reserve Academy standout was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Ohio on Friday.
Thompson, the No. 7 overall prospect in the Rivals Industry Rankings, has been a force for Western Reserve Academy as a senior. He is averaging 25.6 points per game along with 9.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
“‘Ant’ is one of the smoothest operators you’ll find inAmerica,” said Matt McKay, Pro Insight Founder & CEO in the Gatorade Player of the Year press release. “He boasts positional size, pro-level physical tools, two-way versatility and deep range as a shooter—and he’s yet to really scratch the surface of his overall long-term potential.”
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year.
- 1
Wyatt Smith is a Buckeye!
Wyatt Smith commitments gives Ohio State another major piece of defensive puzzle
- 2
Thoughts on Wyatt Smith
Three thoughts on Ohio State landing top EDGE target Wyatt Smith
- 3
Kickoff time intel
Potential kickoff times emerging for key Ohio State matchups
- 4
Birm's mock class
Birm's post-spring, too-early Ohio State 2027 recruiting clas
- 5
Josh Tyson observations
Additional observations of Ohio State target Josh Tyson from day two of the live period
Get the On3 Top 10 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.
Thompson was also named to the 2026 McDonald’s All-American game in February. He is the first Buckeyes to be invited to the game since D’Angelo Russell in the 2014 class, who was also the last five-star prospect to sign with Ohio State.
The Buckeyes made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years this season. They are hoping to make a deeper run in the Big Dance next season with Thompson leading the way.