All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Signees Earn Huge National Recognition

Incoming UNC basketball talents Ian Jackson and Drake Powell are racking up prestigious prep honors.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Neither Ian Jackson nor Drake Powell landed among the five finalists for the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year Trophy announced in late February. However, both of the five-star UNC basketball recruiting prizes received Naismith All-American distinctions on Wednesday.

Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 185-pound potent guard out of Our Saviour Lutheran School (N.Y.) who sits No. 9 on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, is a Naismith Second Team selection. And Powell, a 6-foot-6, 195-pound lively forward for Northwood High School (N.C.) boasting a No. 11 composite ranking, is on the Third Team.

Powell and Jackson headline the 2024 Tar Heel class, as each is also on tap to play in the McDonald's All-American Game in Houston on April 2. But they'll arrive in Chapel Hill this summer alongside another early signee in Link Academy (Mo.) four-star James Brown, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound promising center who ranks No. 72 in the cycle.

As things stand, the Tar Heels' 2024 haul ranks No. 7 in the country, No. 2 in the ACC below top-ranked Duke's six-deep collection.

RELATED: Where UNC Ranks in All-Time McDonald's All-Americans

Meanwhile, three of the total 15 Naismith honorees, including high school seniors and juniors, are UNC basketball targets on the 2025 trail: Columbus High School (Fla.) five-star forward Cameron Boozer (First Team), Prolific Prep (Calif.) five-star forward AJ Dybantsa (First Team), and Perry High School (Ariz.) five-star forward Koa Peat.

UNC hasn't reeled in any 2025 commits yet.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball 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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