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UNC Basketball Lands Among Finalists for Surging Prep

Not only is the UNC basketball staff in Derek Dixon's top six, but the Tar Heels are also already on tap to host the crafty guard.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball mascot Rameses
UNC basketball mascot Rameses / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Of the more than a dozen active UNC basketball recruiting pursuits in the 2025 arena, one could argue the Tar Heels are sitting prettiest in the Derek Dixon sweepstakes.

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Two months after extending an offer to the 6-foot-3, 190-pound four-star, UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his cohorts have now secured an official visit from Dixon for the first weekend of September and earned a spot among the Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) guard's finalists.

Dixon, who has seen a double-digit jump in the rankings since receiving his offer from the Tar Heels on May 20 and currently sits at No. 58 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, announced on Tuesday that he is down to a final six of UNC, Arizona, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, and Vanderbilt.

He looks to decide on his college destination in a couple of months following a string of official visits. That slate begins with a trip to Vanderbilt at the end of August and ends with his Arizona campus tour in mid-September, the weekend after he checks out UNC in person.

No one has entered a prediction into the 247Sports Crystal Ball, Rivals FutureCast, or On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine for the Derek Dixon race. But it seems the Tar Heels must like where they stand entering the homestretch.

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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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