10/28/2026 12:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State freshman forward Anthony Thompson has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List. This award is presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame, highlighting the elite talent in the sport.
The annual Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 17-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 13th year by recognizing the top small forward in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Julius Erving Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving's family and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where the winner will be selected.
Thompson is one of the highest ranked Buckeye signees in recent history. A consensus five-star prospect and McDonald's All-American, the 6-foot-9 left-handed forward has been one of the best shooters on the team this preseason. His 7-3 wingspan allows him to shoot over the top of defenders.
He was the No. 7 overall prospect and No. 1 in Ohio for the 2026 class, according to 247Sports.com. Thompson is the first McDonald's All-American to sign with Ohio State out of high school since D'Angelo Russell in 2014 and he is the highest rated Big Ten signee in the 2026 class.
A native of Lebonon, Ohio, Thompson played at Western Reserve Academy where he averaged 24.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a senior last season.
The Buckeyes open the regular season on Monday, Nov. 2 against No. 25 BYU in Salt Lake City.
Julius Erving Top 20 Preseason Watch List
Amari Allen Alabama
Ivan Kharchenkov Arizona
Billy Richmond III Arkansas
Bruce Branch III BYU
Dame Sarr Duke
Thomas Haugh Florida
Davis Fogle Gonzaga
Andrej Stojakovic Illinois
Tyran Stokes Kansas
Milan Momcilovic Kentucky
Shelton Henderson Miami
Coen Carr Michigan State
Pryce Sandfort Nebraska
Anthony Thompson Ohio State
Tounde Yessoufou St. John's
Aiden Tobiason Syracuse
Juke Harris Tennessee
Nikola Kusturica UCLA
Colben Landrew UConn
Amani Hansberry Virginia Tech
The annual Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 17-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 13th year by recognizing the top small forward in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Julius Erving Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving's family and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where the winner will be selected.
Thompson is one of the highest ranked Buckeye signees in recent history. A consensus five-star prospect and McDonald's All-American, the 6-foot-9 left-handed forward has been one of the best shooters on the team this preseason. His 7-3 wingspan allows him to shoot over the top of defenders.
He was the No. 7 overall prospect and No. 1 in Ohio for the 2026 class, according to 247Sports.com. Thompson is the first McDonald's All-American to sign with Ohio State out of high school since D'Angelo Russell in 2014 and he is the highest rated Big Ten signee in the 2026 class.
A native of Lebonon, Ohio, Thompson played at Western Reserve Academy where he averaged 24.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a senior last season.
The Buckeyes open the regular season on Monday, Nov. 2 against No. 25 BYU in Salt Lake City.
Julius Erving Top 20 Preseason Watch List
Amari Allen Alabama
Ivan Kharchenkov Arizona
Billy Richmond III Arkansas
Bruce Branch III BYU
Dame Sarr Duke
Thomas Haugh Florida
Davis Fogle Gonzaga
Andrej Stojakovic Illinois
Tyran Stokes Kansas
Milan Momcilovic Kentucky
Shelton Henderson Miami
Coen Carr Michigan State
Pryce Sandfort Nebraska
Anthony Thompson Ohio State
Tounde Yessoufou St. John's
Aiden Tobiason Syracuse
Juke Harris Tennessee
Nikola Kusturica UCLA
Colben Landrew UConn
Amani Hansberry Virginia Tech
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