The Thompson twins are making waves in the world of college basketball, and the Ohio State Buckeyes are taking notice. With the Class of 2027, the Buckeyes are eyeing DeMarcus Henry, a 6-foot-7, left-handed wing with exceptional shooting skills and two-way potential. Henry is ranked as the nation's No. 1 small forward and No. 4 overall player, and his older brother, Chris Henry Jr., and sister, Seini Henry, are already current Buckeyes. This adds an intriguing layer to the recruitment, as Henry has ties to the program and a desire to join a team with a strong culture and player development focus.
In the Class of 2026, the Buckeyes successfully recruited Anthony Thompson, a 6-8, left-handed wing with special shooting ability and serious two-way potential. Thompson, a Lebanon, Ohio, native who prepped at Western Reserve, is now in offseason camp with the Buckeyes. The question on everyone's mind is whether the Buckeyes can pull off another successful recruitment and land both Thompson and Henry.
According to 247Sports hoops scribe Dushawn London, Henry has narrowed his list of finalists to eight: Arkansas, BYU, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, North Carolina, and UConn. This is a highly competitive field, with teams boasting substantial NIL resources. Henry plans to visit each of these finalists before making a decision, with no official visits finalized yet. The five-star prospect aims to schedule these visits throughout August and September and doesn't expect to announce a commitment until the spring.
The key factor in Henry's decision-making process is the program's ability to prepare him for the next level, focusing on culture, player development, and a pro-style system. This is where Thompson comes into play. One source suggests that Henry's camp will closely monitor how Thompson is utilized this season, indicating a potential connection between the two players.
The Buckeyes are in a unique position, with the opportunity to secure two elite small forwards in a single recruiting class. The success of Thompson in the Class of 2026 and the potential addition of Henry in the Class of 2027 could significantly impact the program's future. As the recruitment unfolds, the basketball world will be watching closely, eager to see how the Buckeyes navigate this exciting prospect.
In other news, the article also mentions the concept of 'Portal proficiency' and the idea of 'Stealth Buckeyes,' suggesting a deeper exploration of the team's strategy and recruitment methods. However, these topics are not the main focus of the article, and the author's commentary emphasizes the excitement and intrigue surrounding the Thompson twins' recruitment and the potential impact on the Buckeyes' future.