5-star SF Anthony Thompson hearing regularly from Kentucky with official visits on the way

Kentucky target Anthony Thompson is in the process of winding down his college recruitment.

Considered a five-star talent and the No. 12 overall prospect in the 2026 class by the On3 Industry Ranking, the lanky 6-foot-8 wing is currently down to 15 finalists: Kentucky, North Carolina, BYU, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue, Notre Dame, Auburn, Indiana, Georgetown, Louisville, Kansas, Texas, and Xavier.

It’s a large group of schools, but a list cut is coming sooner rather than later, which will be followed by a handful of official visits and ultimately a commitment sometime this fall. After going for 35 points in a thrilling 103-100 win on Thursday at the adidas 3SSB Championships in Rock Hill, SC, he spoke with KSR to update us on where things stand with Kentucky.

“We talk constantly, I’ll say probably every week,” Thompson, who followed up Thursday’s performance with a 30-point outing on Friday, said. “We just talked about hopefully getting me on (campus) for a visit, but continue to talk to me about how I fit into the program.”

“They’re a big-time program, one of the best programs ever,” he added. “Their history of getting players in the league, a history of winning, that’s really important to me. And also player development, me just getting better as a player.”

2026 – 6’8 F Anthony Thompson (@ant_thompson26) of @IndianaEliteIE finished with 35 points & 6 rebounds in a close win over ETG. This kid always keeps his composure, stays locked in, and is as clutch as they come. Looking like the best prospect in the building. Still 16 years old pic.twitter.com/XuC6NWDdHC

— NextUpRecruits (@NextUpRecruits) July 10, 2025

Thompson does not currently have any official visits on the docket, but he says those will be scheduled for August and September. Kentucky is likely to be one of the schools that gets him on campus. He unofficially visited UK earlier this year for a gameday visit. Along with head coach Mark Pope, Thompson is also communicating with assistant coach Cody Fueger.

“Obviously, they play through bigs a lot,” Thompson said of Kentucky’s play style. “It helps a lot their perimeter guys, so they’ve been pitching to me kind of a Jaxson Robinson, Koby Brea type of player like they were last year.”

Thompson is tall and long enough to play as a big in a small-ball lineup, but also skilled enough to stretch the floor as a super-sized two-guard. Most schools, Kentucky included, are recruiting him as a wing — someone who can play inside and out. He prefers to be on the perimeter, but embraces the opportunity to work in the paint.

“My shooting, I think that’s something that (Pope) really preaches on, is how I shoot the ball,” Thompson said of what he’s looking to improve upon. “I’m gonna try to continue to be well at that, be consistent with that. And then me playing consistently, that’s something that he just continues to want me to do, is continue to play the same way every game, from my scoring to my defense.”

A commitment is likely to come around October or November, he says, after he wraps up his visit tour.

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