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Q&A With USC Recruit Chase Thompson

March 14, 2026
Prep Baseball Hawaii

We caught up with Chase Thompson (Iolani School, HI | 2027) to discuss his commitment to the University of Southern California (USC) and his journey through the recruiting process. One of the top prospects from Hawaii, Thompson’s recruitment continued to gain national attention following a strong showing at the Prep Baseball Future Games. With his decision now made, he reflected on the recruiting process, the mindset that helped guide him, and the importance of staying grateful throughout the journey.

OUR Q&A

PB: What were your expectations regarding the recruiting process, and what were you looking for in a college program to continue your baseball career?

Chase: Going through the recruiting process, I was mainly looking for the right fit. I wanted a program where I could compete at a high level, continue to develop as a player, and be surrounded by coaches and teammates who push each other every day. Academics were also very important to me, so I was hoping to find a school that could challenge me both on the field and in the classroom.

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Chase: What stood out to me the most about USC was the people and the overall environment. My official visit was an amazing experience. The coaching staff, the facilities, and the new field really impressed me. I also liked how competitive the program is and how much they focus on development. One thing that really stood out to me was the team motto, “Brick by Brick.” The idea of building something strong step by step really resonated with me. Academically, USC is also very strong, especially for business, which is something I’m interested in studying. Overall, it felt like the best place for me to grow both as a player and as a person.

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Chase: My advice would be to work hard and stay grateful. Working hard is really tough especially when there’s other things you want to do or maybe you don’t feel like it, but that’s where you have to be disciplined and get after it. Also, staying grateful is a virtue I love because it is always a blessing to be in the spot you are now, so always remember to be grateful even when things don’t go your way.

PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Chase: Coming from Hawaii, going to the mainland is definitely a big change, but I also saw it as a great opportunity. I wanted to challenge myself, compete at the highest level possible, and see how far I could push my game. At the same time, I’ve always liked the west coast and it also makes it easier for my family to come watch when they can.

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you, and where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Chase: My recruiting process actually started pretty early. I received my first offer from the University of Hawaii in April of 2023 and initially committed there. Once the contact period opened back up, the process really started to pick up again. On August 1, 2025, when coaches were allowed to reach out again, the head coach at USC called me and we talked for over 20 minutes. That conversation meant a lot to me and really stood out. From there, the relationship continued to grow throughout the recruiting process.

PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If so, how?

Chase: The Prep Baseball Future Games in Georgia was a really great experience for me. It was an opportunity to compete against some of the top players in the country in front of a lot of scouts and college coaches. One of my favorite memories from that event was hitting a home run there. That summer I was notorious for hitting foul home runs, so it was exciting I kept this one fair. It was also in front of the USC scouts which helped me a lot in being noticed by them.

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and what makes them a tough opponent?

Chase: The best player that I faced in Hawaii was Eli Iwanaga. He was a pitcher last year for Kamehameha School, a senior that is now pitching for UCLA. He was very tough because he not only threw hard but also has good location on where he pitches. He was a great pitcher and I am very grateful that I got to face him.

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

Chase: A pretty talented young player to keep an eye on is Keohu Butcher from Iolani School. He is an 8th grader, but very mature for his age. He is by far the biggest and tallest kid in the class, and has played scrimmages against the older kids where he did not back down. I think it will be cool to see how he develops in the upcoming years.

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and become serious about taking your game to the next level?

Chase: Frankly, I always believed in myself that I was a college-caliber player and that I will be an MLB player. I fully believe in the Law of attraction, through deep visualization and manifestation. Everyday, I imagine myself in the batters box on Dedeaux field in USC, or in a major league stadium. They are vivid visualizations, the uniform, the pitcher, the crowd, everything. I am extremely humble, but deep down I believe that I can do all things if I believe I can. That is why I work so hard every single day to turn those visualizations into reality.

PB: Preview your high school team’s season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Chase: I think that our team will be competitive this year. We have a lot of players who work hard and love to compete. I’m excited for the season and looking forward to representing Iolani with my teammates.

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Hawaii Rising Stars Games (Invite-Only) HI 06/05 Pearl City High School - Pearl City, HI
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Senior Future Games (Class of 2027) NATIONAL 07/21 LakePoint Sports