Mark Pope and his new staff at Kentucky continue to make noise on the recruiting trail, and they’ve taken a big step forward with one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2026 class. Anthony Thompson, a 5-star small forward ranked No. 14 nationally by the On3 Industry Ranking, announced Friday that he’s trimmed his list to 15 schools — and Kentucky made the cut.
Thompson, a 6-foot-8 wing with a 7-foot-2 wingspan out of Western Reserve (Lebanon, OH), has been a priority for the Wildcats since Pope took over the program. The Kentucky staff was among the first to contact Thompson when the 2026 communication window opened, and they’ve stayed consistent in their pursuit.
Along with Kentucky, Thompson’s top 15 includes North Carolina, BYU, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue, Notre Dame, Auburn, Indiana, Georgetown, Louisville, Kansas, Texas, and Xavier.
Thompson’s interest in Kentucky has been growing steadily over the past year. He received an offer during his visit to Lexington for Big Blue Madness in October and returned in January to catch the Wildcats’ win over eventual national champion Florida inside Rupp Arena.
“It was good to go there and see it in person,” Thompson told On3’s Jamie Shaw in February. “This was my first trip there, so it was good to see how they played in game and their play style live. I was watching their wings and what they do with Koby Brea and Jaxon Robinson. They’re both shooters so I was able to see in person what they did.”
He’s also developed a strong relationship with Pope and assistant coach Cody Fueger, who visited him earlier this week. “I talk with the staff a lot. We call or text often,” Thompson said. “Coach Pope is a great person and coach. He’s very positive and there for his players. He is a player’s coach, and always there to help out.”
An official visit to Kentucky is likely in the works for this summer, and while Thompson still has 15 schools on his list, Kentucky appears to be among the serious contenders.
With his size, versatility, and elite two-way potential, Thompson is exactly the kind of player Pope wants to build around as he establishes his vision for the program. If the momentum continues, Kentucky could be in a strong position as Thompson’s recruitment heats up.
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