All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Signee Gets Snubbed By Premier Prep Showcase

One future UNC basketball player will be at the Nike Hoop Summit, but another deserving 2024 Tar Heel prize missed the cut.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Our Saviour Lutheran (N.Y.) guard Ian Jackson, No. 10 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, is among the 12 on tap to play for the USA team at the annual Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore., on April 13. But the other five-star UNC basketball signee in the class, Northwood (N.C.) forward Drake Powell, did not receive a spot on the roster.

That's despite the fact Powell, a 6-foot-6, 195-pound versatile weapon who committed to the Tar Heels in September 2022 and signed his national letter of intent two months ago, boasts a composite ranking one notch higher than that of Jackson.

The prestigious Nike Hoop Summit, pitting America's best preps against the World squad, announced the USA selections on Thursday but has not revealed the World roster yet.

Duke, enjoying a five-deep, top-ranked 2024 collection, is the only program with three future players on the USA team: Cooper Flagg, Isaiah Evans, and Patrick Ngongba. Note that Powell ranks below only Flagg (No. 1 overall) from that group, as Evans sits at No. 13 and Ngongba at No. 22.

Drake Powell and Ian Jackson are part of three-deep UNC basketball recruiting class alongside fellow early signee James Brown, a four-star center out of Link Academy (Mo.) who ranks No. 68 overall.

All three are nominees for the McDonald's All-American Game on April 2. However, chances are only Powell and Jackson will earn the "Burger Boy" distinction.

Major Tar Heel Target Locks in Upcoming Official Visit

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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