Q: How much fun or what did you enjoy, I guess, about this last year playing basketball at the high school level and starting to really think about going toward college? What has this last year been like?
Thompson: "It's been really fun. I think, finishing out AAU and going into the school ball season, like you said, looking towards college and just I think improving my game to the best that I can before I get to Ohio State."
Q: I know you had one game this year with 43 points. Just what did that feel like? That's like very few people are capable of doing something like that. What was your remembrance of the game? Was everything going in, or just what was going your way that day?
Thompson: "Yeah, I mean, it was a really hard game. We were down for most of the game. But yeah, I was hitting a lot of my shots. So I think I was just, I had a kind of groove going and it was enough to be able to bring us back into the game and win. I think because of that, it felt good."
Q: To earn the McDonald's All-American honor, just when you've heard that, what was your thought when you heard that was coming true?
Thompson: "I was really grateful for it. I've been working towards it for a while. It's been something that I've been looking to be a part of. And so when I was selected for it, I was really excited for it."
Q: What areas do you think you were able to kind of build and improve your game this past year? What were some things you really wanted to work on?
Thompson: "I think my physicality with my body, being able to just use it more on the offensive and defensive side, be able to go stronger and use that strength as an asset to my game. So I think that's probably the biggest thing that I've worked on and improved on with pressure."
Q: People think about you as a shooter primarily, but you're able to attack in a lot of different ways offensively. Talk a little bit about your offensive game and how you feel you can impact the game with the different things you can do offensively.
Thompson: "I think my ability to shoot the ball allows me to take the ball to the basket and be able to catch the finish off guard. And I think I'm a really good finisher as well. So being able to finish up at the rim, like dunks or, just finishing around the rim, I think I've gotten a lot better as well with both hands. So I think over past years, I've definitely improved my game and expanded it."
Q: What have the Ohio State coaches talked to you about a role? It seems pretty simple that you'd be playing on the wing. What have they talked to you about what they want you to come in and be able to do for them and really help the team succeed this year?
Thompson: "Yeah, I mean, they're kind of looking for me to have the instant impact on the perimeter, kind of anywhere on the perimeter as a shooter, as a scorer and a playmaker. So I mean, that's kind of what they preached to me since they started recruiting me. I was to just be a really high-level asset from day one on the perimeter. I mean, whether it's a small forward or just on the wing or any composition on that perimeter that I can kind of use to help the team.
Q: What are some things you want to continue to work on between now and the start of the season? They have a good summer program and obviously they just hired Coach Richardson to be the strength coach and the coaches will be able to work with you a little bit. Just what are the things you want to continue to build as you get ready to go up against guys who are 22, 23 years old? It's going to be a little tougher, probably.
Thompson: "Yes, sir. I just want to continue to build all aspects of my game and build it all to the same level to where I have the confidence to really do anything on the court. So I think that's what the summer's going to be about for me is just expand my game to the point where it doesn't really matter who I'm playing against, I'm comfortable with pretty much everything I can do."
Q: You see like there's mock drafts out there and they already have you listed as a guy who could be drafted a year from now. Is that kind of crazy to see your name associated with that? And do you have to kind of let things like that just go in one ear and out the other and concentrate on the day-to-day?
Thompson: "Yeah, I don't really focus on it at all. Because I think, looking at that, you can get people complacent and happy with where they're at right now. I'm definitely not focused on that. I'm just focused on having the highest production that I can for Ohio State next season. Being the best player that I can be."
Q: When they bring in a player, like if you're caliber, people are expecting big things. And obviously, Coach Diebler is trying to build a program and everything else. Just what do you feel are good, realistic expectations for this team and maybe for yourself this coming year?
Thompson: "For me personally, I think I have the highest expectations of both myself and for the team. I think I'm coming in with the thought process of, I want to help lead this team to the highest possible thing we can go to and that is the national championship. So I mean, that just comes with a lot of work in the gym, a lot of trust with my teammates and just a lot of just hard work, I think. So that's what I think summer's going to be about. And obviously, once the season starts up, that's what it's going to be about, too. But it's just all about going in with a mentality that we do have really, really high expectations for ourselves. And I think that's, I think we're going to be able to achieve that."
Q: Do you know much about some of the other guys they brought in, like Justin Pippen? I know he's coming from Cal, and Andrija Jelavic is coming from Kentucky -- different guys that are coming in to play roles. Some of them, starting roles, some of them to be key backups. Do you know a whole lot about some of these other guys? Have you met with them?
Thompson: "I haven't met with them yet, but I mean, I've definitely watched like them at their previous schools and how they play and the impact they'll be able to make when we started the season."
Q: As you head to Ohio State, just what is your thought? Are you just excited to get on the freeway and get up there and get started? Or what do you think, I guess?
Thompson: "Yeah, I'm just really excited to get started. I'm really excited to meet everybody and just get started from tomorrow all the way up to next year when the season's done. I think this is where everything's going to start. And I'm just excited to go through the entire process."
