Jake Diebler and Ohio State made a statement on Tuesday.
The Buckeyes beat out a slew of blue bloods to keep five-star small forward Anthony Thompson at home on the recruiting trail. Thompson, the No. 8 overall prospect in the recruiting class of 2026, brings an incredible athletic skill set to the table with shooting and ballhandling skill to go with a 7-foot-3 wingspan.
But even more than the fantastic talent Thompson brings on the court, it's a statement from Jake Diebler and the resources backing Ohio State's program that the Buckeyes can win marquee five-star recruitments going forward. That much is amplified by a disappointing end to the 2025 recruiting class, which saw four-star guard Dorian Jones flip to Rutgers.
On-court results will take precedence for Diebler's program this fall. Ohio State making its first NCAA Tournament in four years is a must. But Thompson's pledge and that of top-50 2026 point guard Marcus Johnson are excellent building blocks for the future.
Eleven Warriors' Andy Anders and Chase Brown break it all down on a new episode of Press Coverage, which you can watch at the top of the page.
