BABCOCK HOOPS · SCOUTING REPORT
Anthony Thompson
HT / WT
6'9", 215 lbs
TEAM
Ohio State
POSITION
Forward
CLASS
Freshman
BIRTHDATE
August 9, 2008
PLAYING HISTORY
Western Reserve Academy (OH) · HS
HOMETOWN
Lebanon, Ohio
NATIONALITY
United States
PLAYER OVERVIEW
Anthony Thompson is a big, skilled, versatile forward whose game is built on size, length, and a polished offensive package. At 6'9" with a long wingspan and a sturdy frame, the lefty can stretch the floor with his shooting while scoring inside and out, and the feel and coordination behind it hint at a two-way player who does more than fill one role.
Thompson can score at all three levels. He's a very capable three-point shooter with a repeatable stroke who can also knock down shots in the mid-range, and he has an effective fadeaway in his arsenal. He handles it reasonably well for his size and flashes a well-rounded skill set, along with the ability to finish above the rim in transition and when he gets downhill. He's also shown he can be a factor on defense: his length, coordination, and feel let him contest and block shots, and his instincts and good defensive hands generate steals. He contributes on the glass, too. The questions are about his physical development, his motor, and whether he can produce offense at a high level consistently beyond shooting and finishing. He can stand to add strength and improve his conditioning, and his intensity can waver, but his size, touch, and two-way flashes give him a high-upside foundation.
Terrific size, length, and outside shooting, with flashes of a lot more on both ends. I'm intrigued, and I'll be watching closely.
— Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
EVALUATION
STRENGTHS
Shooting Touch: A skilled lefty shooter with a repeatable stroke who can knock down threes and mid-range shots, with an effective fadeaway. Stretching the floor is likely his long-term calling card.
Size & Length: Prototypical forward size at 6'9" with a long wingspan and a sturdy frame, giving him advantages on both ends.
Shot Contesting & Defensive Playmaking: Uses his length, coordination, and feel to contest and block shots, including flying out to the perimeter, while his instincts also generate steals.
Inside-Out Scoring: Scores at all three levels and finishes above the rim, especially getting out in transition.
Versatile Flashes: Handles it reasonably well for his size and shows flashes of doing a little bit of everything offensively.
Rebounding: Uses his length and positioning to contribute on the boards.
CONCERNS
Motor & Intensity: His intensity can waver, and he doesn't always appear to be fully locked in; playing with a more consistent edge is the key to unlocking his two-way tools.
Strength & Conditioning: A sturdy build with room to add functional strength and improve overall fitness for the next level.
Self-Creation: Flashes a well-rounded game, but projects more as a face-up scorer than a lead creator or offensive engine right now; he doesn't generate much off the dribble or set up teammates, so expanding his shot-creation could be a good next step.
Foot Speed: Average laterally; not a strength, which can show up when defending in space.
BOTTOM LINE
Anthony Thompson is a big, skilled face-up four with the size, shooting, and two-way tools to develop into an impactful NBA player. Stretching the floor will likely be his calling card, but he scores at all three levels, finishes above the rim, rebounds capably, and is quietly disruptive on defense, using his length and feel to contest and block shots. The swing factors are his motor and his physical development: if he plays with a consistent edge, adds strength, and keeps expanding his offensive skill set, his ceiling is high.
