All Tar Heels

Future UNC Basketball Guard Derek Dixon About to Face Two Duke Pledges

The UNC basketball prize's second opponent in his senior season features the five-star Boozer twins.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting signee Derek Dixon
UNC basketball recruiting signee Derek Dixon / Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK
In this story:

Early 2025 UNC basketball signee Derek Dixon and his preseason-No. 10 Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) Eagles are now only two days away from their 2024-25 debut, a showdown against the Oak Ridge High School (Fla.) Pioneers at The Main Event prep showcase in Miami at 5:45 p.m. ET Friday.

ALSO READ: Finnish UNC Target Miikka Muurinen Plans to Visit Tar Heels

And on the second and final day of the event at 2:45 p.m. ET Saturday, Dixon & Co. will square off against the Columbus High School (Fla.) Explorers and their heralded Boozer twins, five-star forward Cameron Boozer and five-star guard Cayden Boozer. From the viewpoint of folks on Tobacco Roads, the game figures to serve as a partial preview of the 2025-26 Tar Heels' bouts against the archrival Duke Blue Devils.

Cameron Boozer, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound versatile bruiser sitting No. 2 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, and Cayden Boozer, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound crafty floor general boasting a No. 23 composite ranking, are the sons of 2001 Duke basketball national champion and two-time NBA All-Star forward Carlos Boozer.

They inked their scholarship agreements with the Blue Devils during the early signing period in November, joining Harvard-Westlake School (Calif.) five-star forward Nikolas Khamenia and Bellaire High School (Texas) five-star forward Shelton Henderson to give Duke the nation's top-ranked class at this juncture.

Not long after that, despite Columbus beginning its highly anticipated campaign at No. 1 overall in the national rankings, the Explorers fell to Prolific Prep (Calif.) in their season opener. They've since improved to 3-1.

Derek Dixon, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo backcourt talent who currently checks in at No. 48 among his peers and became the first 2025 UNC basketball recruiting addition via his commitment in late September, is fully on board as a future Tar Heel. So is one fellow early signee in Davidson Day School (N.C.) four-star guard Isaiah Denis, No. 62 overall.

ALSO READ: Tar Heel Signee Isaiah Denis Silences 'Overrated' Chants

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

Published
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.

Home/Basketball