Western Reserve Academy is proud to celebrate Anthony Thompson ’26, who has been named a McDonald’s All-American — the highest honor in high school basketball. The recognition places Thompson among the nation’s elite rising talents and marks a historic milestone for Reserve, as he becomes the first Pioneer selected to compete in the prestigious annual showcase.

The McDonald’s All-American Game brings together the most highly regarded players in the sport and has long served as a defining stage for future collegiate and professional standouts. This year’s class of 24 boys and 24 girls was selected by an independent committee from more than 700 nominations nationwide.

This past Saturday marked the official presentation of Anthony’s McDonald’s All American Game jersey, with company representatives on hand — and even a surprise appearance from Grimace himself.

The 2026 game will be played on Tuesday, March 31, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, and will air nationally on ESPN. The only athlete selected from the state of Ohio, Anthony will suit up for the East team.

A top-10 national recruit, Anthony announced in November that he will continue his playing career at The Ohio State University. Recent coverage frequently notes that he is the highest-rated Buckeye commit since current Washington Wizards guard D’Angelo Russell. Russell was the last Ohio State signee to earn McDonald’s All-American honors. The distinction places Anthony in rare company and underscores the trajectory of his career.

Throughout his playing career, Anthony has earned widespread respect for his multidimensional game. Evaluators consistently highlight his shot-making ability, impressive wingspan and defensive presence, and his confidence creating space and attacking the rim. His athleticism and competitiveness have made him one of the most exciting prospects in the country.

Anthony’s achievement also reflects the strength of a program that continues to set the standard within the region. Under the leadership of head coach Matt Garvey and his staff, the Pioneers recently captured a National Prep League championship in 2024,  underscoring the sustained excellence and cementing the nationwide reputation of one of WRA’s signature athletic programs. The success of this team speaks not only to individual talent, but to a culture of preparation, development, and belief.

As he prepares to take the national stage later this month, the Reserve community is eager to cheer him on as he represents both himself and the program that helped shape his journey. Anthony’s achievement reflects the culture of excellence that defines Western Reserve Academy — one that extends fully to athletics and supports students as they pursue greatness at the highest levels.

We look forward to watching what comes next in Anthony’s career, confident that this milestone is only the beginning of the accolades ahead.