Ian Jackson, 5-Star SG Prospect, Commits to UNC over Kentucky, Oregon, More

The North Carolina Tar Heels landed one of the best recruits in the Class of 2024 on Monday.

Per Joe Tipton of On3.com, 5-star shooting guard Ian Jackson has committed to UNC over offers from Kentucky, Oregon, Kansas and more. A junior at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, New York, Jackson is ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2024 class by 247Sports' composite.

Landing Jackson is a major recruiting win for UNC head coach Hubert Davis, as he is the program's highest-ranked prospect since Cole Anthony in the 2019 class. With his commitment to the Tar Heels, Jackson joins a star-studded 2024 class that is ranked No. 1 by 247Sports and also includes 5-star point guard Elliot Cadeau, 4-star center James Brown and 4-star forward Drake Powell.

Jackson told ESPN prior to his announcement that his visit to UNC made his decision an easy one.

"The campus was beautiful," he said. "The people were so friendly and welcoming. They were telling me how much they wanted me to go there. It was so cool to see all the Hall of Fame jerseys and the names of their great players. I saw Michael Jordan's name and jersey. I even said hello to Roy Williams. He said, 'We want you here.'"

Jackson played for USA Basketball at the 2021 FIBA U16 Americas and 2022 U17 World Championships, averaging 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in seven games at the latter event.

On3.com's Jamie Shaw describes Jackson as a "high-level athlete" who "has confidence with the ball in his hands and is decisive in getting downhill to the rim. He can rise up and finish above the rim. As well as pull up in the mid-range with an assortment of floaters and pull-ups."

North Carolina is in the midst of an inconsistent season with a record of 12-6, so the commitment of Jackson is undoubtedly some much-needed good news for the Tar Heels.