Jackson, No. 2 possibility in 2024 class, selects UNC

4:16 PM ET Jeff

Borzello

Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Personnel Author Basketball recruiting expert. Joined ESPN in 2014.

Ian Jackson, the No. 2-ranked men’s basketball prospect in the 2024 class, announced his commitment to North Carolina on Monday, a big recruiting win for coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels.Jackson selected Carolina over Kentucky, with Arkansas, LSU and Oregon also on his last list of 5 schools.

“Simply the family atmosphere,” Jackson said throughout a statement on ESPNU. “It was way different than any other see I’ve been on. Me and Davis had a genuine connection.”

While he’s long been a candidate to reclassify into the 2023 class, Jackson said he’s sticking in the 2024 class for now.As Jackson pointed out throughout his statement, his see to North Carolina earlier this month was a difference-maker.

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” The school was beautiful,” he informed ESPN before the statement. “Individuals were so friendly and welcoming. They were informing me how much they desired me to go there. It was so cool to see all the Hall of Popularity jerseys and the names of their fantastic players. I saw Michael Jordan’s name and jersey. I even stated hi to Roy Williams. He said, ‘We desire you here.'”

While Jackson’s relationship with current Carolina guard R.J. Davis contributed, he developed a strong bond with Hubert Davis.

“He is a terrific coach and person. I enjoy how invested he remains in the program,” Jackson said. “He played there. Everybody on personnel went there or played there. He is constantly smiling and simple to talk with off and on the court. He continuously examined my relative throughout the process. Coach Davis made it clear that mistakes will occur. I will be provided the opportunity to play through my mistakes.”

Jackson, a 6-foot-5 wing from Cardinal Hayes High School (New York), is North Carolina’s highest-ranked prospect since Cole Anthony in the 2019 class.He represented USA Basketball at both the 2021 FIBA U16 Americas and 2022 U17 World Championships, playing a key role on both teams. In 2021, he balanced 9.3 points in 6 games, while setting up 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 7 games at the 2022 event.Jackson has high-level physical abilities, especially vertically

at the rim. He has incredible transition capability, filling the lane and completing at the rim. He has actually likewise shown a genuine 3-point shot and the capability to drive to the rim.His commitment represents a huge triumph on the recruiting path for Davis, who has now landed two first-class potential customers and 4 top-50 recruits in the 2024 class. Jackson signs up with fellow first-class guard Elliot Cadeau, along with four-star prospects Drake Powell and James Brown, in the Tar Heels’group.Jackson is close with Cadeau, a New Jersey native.”We talk or text nearly every day, “he said.

“I have actually known him given that seventh grade. We have an opportunity to win together. “While ESPN does not release main recruiting class rankings for 2024 yet, Carolina’s group is easily the best in the nation today.