All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Recruiting Prize Gets Dropped From Naismith Contention

Future UNC basketball guard Ian Jackson is not among the five finalists for the top prep honor.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Our Saviour Lutheran (N.Y.) senior sensation Ian Jackson, one of three early 2024 UNC basketball signees in the nation's seventh-ranked class, was among the 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year Trophy revealed a few weeks ago.

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But the 6-foot-5, 185-pound five-star guard, No. 8 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, didn't land on the list of five finalists that the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced late last week.

Two of the finalists are Rutgers recruiting prizes in five-star guard Dylan Harper and five-star forward Ace Bailey. Another is a future Duke basketball forward in top-ranked 2024 prospect Cooper Flagg, perhaps the frontrunner to snag the hardware when the winner is named on March 8.

As for the other two remaining contenders for the Naismith, five-star forward AJ Dybantsa and five-star forward Cameron Boozer, son of 2001 Blue Devil national champ Carlos Boozer, are the only juniors who advanced to the final round. And it's worth noting they're on UNC's 2025 wishlist, along with seven other five-star talents.

For now, Raymond Felton, the 2002 Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year while starring at Latta High School (S.C.), remains the only UNC basketball player to win the award since its inception in 1987.

Meanwhile, the other two members of the Tar Heels' 2024 haul are Northwood (N.C.) five-star forward Drake Powell, who joined Ian Jackson on the 25-deep Naismith Midseason Team but did not end up among the semifinalists, and Link Academy (Mo.) four-star center James Brown.

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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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