All Tar Heels

Sharpshooting UNC Basketball Target Shows Off Tar Heel Threads

Potential UNC basketball recruiting prize Jasper Johnson seemed to feel at home in Chapel Hill.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Matt Stone-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Over the weekend, UNC basketball hosted Link Academy (Mo.) junior Jasper Johnson. He's a heralded 3-point shooter with halfcourt-logo range and a slick ballhandler with underrated playmaking abilities who is a lifelong Tar Heel fan and teammate to one of the program's three early 2024 signees in four-star center James Brown.

It was only the third official visit in the 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard's recruitment, as he checked out Missouri and West Virginia in the fall before recently naming his top 10: UNC, Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, Southern Cal, and West Virginia. He'll visit Kentucky this weekend and Auburn the following week.

On Saturday night, UNC ensured the ideal rivalry outcome with Johnson on hand, as the No. 3 Tar Heels knocked off No. 7 Duke at home, 93-84.

Yet even before attending that highly entertaining clash, Johnson, No. 12 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, appeared to be enjoying the experience. Hours earlier, he shared a couple of videos from his time sitting courtside for ESPN's College GameDay in the Dean E. Smith Center.

And on Sunday night, he posted several pictures of himself in UNC jerseys, including a shot of him standing next to third-year Tar Heel head coach Hubert Davis:

Jasper Johnson, who hasn't entirely ruled out the possibility of reclassifying to 2024, has company on the 2025 UNC basketball wishlist in five-star guards Cayden Boozer, Isiah Harwell, and Darryn Peterson, along with five-star forwards Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Koa Peat, Caleb Wilson, and Bryson Tiller.

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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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