All Tar Heels

USA Team Account on 2024 UNC Basketball Prize: 'He's the Captain Now'

UNC basketball pledges Ian Jackson and Drake Powell showed off their specialties in Colorado.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis (Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports)
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Over the weekend, two of UNC basketball's three 2024 recruiting prizes, Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, were among the 84 prospects at the USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp in Colorado.

And in the eyes of On3's Jamie Shaw, both future Tar Heels were among the event's 10 standouts.

Shaw placed Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound electric guard who ranks No. 10 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite and committed to UNC in January, at No. 6 on his list. Here's a snippet of Shaw's breakdown of the Our Saviour Lutheran (N.Y.) five-star's weekend performances:

"Ian Jackson is at his best when they simply go out and play basketball. This weekend, they limited the sets and reads...allowed the players to play off instinct. Jackson shined. He was able to get to his spots at each level and confidently knocked down jump shots. He finished what might have been the dunk of the weekend, as he dunked on a late-rotating big..."

Here's the statement dunk by "Captain Jack" that the official USA Basketball Junior National Team account captioned, "He's the Captain now!":

In addition to his flight and freestyle prowess, Shaw noted Jackson's unmistakable positivity:

"Jackson seems to love to be playing basketball; he is always smiling and laughing, and he always has a ball in his hands. Jackson also made a concerted effort to guard the ball. He was effective in the small-sided sessions, the drill work, and the five-on-five play. He was playing free, and it was the best basketball I have seen him play in a few months."

As for Drake Powell, a 6-foot-6, 185-pound five-star wing who pledged his allegiance to UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his crew over a year ago and has since risen almost 50 spots to No. 12 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, Shaw ranked him No. 9 for the weekend.

It was the Northwood (N.C.) product's defense that caught Shaw's attention:

"Drake Powell is one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. He is capable of guarding on the ball or off the ball and simply cutting off angles for his man making things very uncomfortable. He has a strong frame with great length. Powell is also a quiet competitor, going hard every possession and making winning plays...Powell's overall effect on the game is undeniable. His ability to shut his man down stands out in this setting. He also moves the ball well from the wing position."

Speaking of moving the ball well, here's one example of Powell doing precisely that:

Yes, the future in Chapel Hill looks quite bright with Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, along with four-star center James Brown, on tap for the 2024-25 UNC basketball season.

UNC Pledge Predicts National Title Before Pro Career

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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