All Tar Heels

WATCH: UNC Basketball Signee Ian Jackson Catches Fire in 'Flu Game'

UNC basketball has a perseverant guard on the way in five-star Ian Jackson.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Our Saviour Lutheran School (N.Y.) senior guard and 2024 UNC basketball prize Ian Jackson competes for Jelly Fam (7-5) in Overtime Elite league action. In the squad's latest outing over the weekend, a 101-78 win over Rolling Loud (3-7) in Atlanta's OTE Arena, the future Tar Heel shined to the tune of a game-high 33 points.

And Jackson did so while battling the flu, thereby applying the "flu game" label to his prolific performance.

The 6-foot-5, 185-pound five-star, a newly minted McDonald's All-American Game selection, played a team-high 30 minutes, adding three rebounds, two assists, and one steal to his box score. He shot a sizzling 13-for-16 from the field, 5-for-7 from downtown, and 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.

Jelly Fam held only a 58-56 lead against Rolling Loud heading into the fourth quarter. Illness and all, though, Jackson somehow had enough left in his tank to power the team to a 43-22 advantage from there on out, as 12 points of his points came in the fourth quarter alone.

Here are the explosive bucket-getter's impressive full-game highlights, courtesy of the Overtime Elite account:

Ian Jackson, now No. 9 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, will arrive in Chapel Hill this summer alongside two fellow UNC basketball signees in Link Academy (Mo.) four-star center James Brown (No. 69) and Northwood (N.C.) five-star forward Drake Powell (No. 10), the other McDonald's All-American in the Tar Heels' heralded class.

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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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