All Tar Heels

WATCH: UNC Basketball Recruit Drains Three 'From Parking Lot'

One prime UNC basketball target shined alongside a Tar Heel signee in Utah.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting target Jasper Johnson (Brooks Holton-USA TODAY Sports)
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Jasper Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard who ranks No. 13 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite and picked up a UNC basketball offer in September, is an electric scoring sensation. It's also worth noting that he is a reclass candidate and an admitted longtime Tar Heel fan.

The Link Academy (Mo.) slick five-star, teammate to a 2024 UNC basketball signee in four-star center James Brown, displayed his bucket-getting prowess again in a nationally televised 77-53 win over AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) on Tuesday night at the 5 For Fight National Hoopfest in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Johnson finished the talent-rich matchup (another five-star Link guard, Texas signee Tre Johnson, ranks No. 4 on the 247Sports 2024 Composite) with a game-high 18 points. He shot 7-for-10 from the field, 3-for-5 beyond the arc, and 1-for-1 at the charity stripe, adding three rebounds and one steal in his 21 minutes on the floor.

His performance yielded several highlight plays, including some strong drives and crafty finishes. But the following quick-release 3-point splash off the catch from seemingly about 30 feet out — or, in the words of League Ready in the clip below, "from the parking lot" — best exhibits the problem that Jasper Johnson poses for defenses:

That three came early in the third quarter.

From late in the second quarter, here's another beyond-NBA-range deep ball from Johnson, who has neither named finalists in his recruitment nor expressed any rush in deciding on a college:

Meanwhile, Brown, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound starter alongside Jasper Johnson, Tre Johnson, four-star Kansas signee Labaron Philon, and four-star Arkansas signee Jalen Shelley for the nationally second-ranked Link squad, tallied an efficient 10 points (3-for-4 from the field, 1-for-1 from downtown, 3-for-3 at the line) in only 12 minutes of action.

He added two boards, one assist, and a steal.

Brown, boasting a No. 68 composite ranking, is one of three 2024 UNC basketball recruiting prizes. The other two are five-star prospects: Our Saviour Lutheran School (N.Y.) guard Ian Jackson (No. 10 in the class) and Northwood High School (N.C.) forward Drake Powell (No. 9).

Third-year Tar Heel head coach Hubert Davis and his staff have offers out to nine 2025 talents. None have committed to UNC or eliminated the Tar Heels from contention.

Expert Sees Two 'Instant Impact' UNC Recruiting Prizes

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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