All Tar Heels

Five-Star UNC Basketball Recruit Addresses Reclass Possibility

Elite prep Jasper Johnson, a UNC basketball enthusiast, is working toward releasing a top 10 in his recruitment.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting target Jasper Johnson (Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Sports)
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Mutual interest appears strong between the UNC basketball staff and Link Academy (Mo.) junior combo guard Jasper Johnson, who became the most recent recipient of an offer from Hubert Davis' Tar Heels in September. But the 6-foot-4, 170-pound junior, No. 13 on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, could end up a 2024 target.

"I mean, it's always an option," the already-17-year-old Johnson, beyond his years as a smooth perimeter bucket-getter, explained about potentially reclassifying during his chat with MADE Hoops' Travis Graf this week. "But as of right now, overall, I'll probably be staying in the 2025 class."

Even so, he didn't rule it out completely. Given his age and talent level, it certainly wouldn't be surprising if he did:

Johnson, an admitted longtime Tar Heel fan and teammate at Link Academy to a 2024 UNC basketball commit in four-star center James Brown, also noted to Graf that he'll "drop a top 10 soon then go from there" and is "planning on committing probably at Peach Jam" in July.

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And it sounds like Davis and his crew stand an excellent chance to land on his list.

"They came up to see me at practice," Johnson told Graf while recognizing other heavily active suitors in Kentucky, Baylor, and Alabama. "And Coach Hubert texts me real often, trying to get me up there for a visit so he can break down everything.

"They're another program that's really interested in me, so I'm really tuned in on them as well."

Jasper Johnson, who boasts dozens of offers in his recruitment, is one of eight five-star prospects on UNC's 2025 offer sheet. Each of the targets still appears to be considering the Tar Heels.

Prime Tar Heel Target Looks 'Built for the League'

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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