Class of 2024 basketball recruit Ian Jackson commits to North Carolina over Kentucky, others
UK men’s basketball has swung and missed on its top recruit — so far — in the class of 2024.
Ian Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound shooting guard out of Cardinal Hayes High School in New York City, announced his commitment to North Carolina on Monday afternoon, picking UNC over a list of finalists that included Kentucky.
Jackson announced his college commitment live on ESPNU during the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Jackson took five official visits during his junior year: Kentucky on Oct. 14 (for Big Blue Madness), Oregon (Oct. 27), LSU (Nov. 4), North Carolina (Jan. 6) and Arkansas (Jan. 11).
“Process of elimination, and I feel like I was content with my choice,” Jackson said on ESPNU when asked why he decided to commit during his junior season.
The Wildcats and Tar Heels were long viewed as front-runners in Jackson’s recruitment. Once viewed as a strong reclassification candidate to move from the 2024 class to the 2023 class, Jackson has elected to stay on course as a 2024 recruit.
What separated North Carolina in the recruiting process for Jackson?
“Just a family atmosphere,” Jackson said on ESPNU. “It was way different than any other visit I’ve been on.”
During Jackson’s most recent game — which was played as part of the Hoophall Classic on Sunday night — both Kentucky and Arkansas had assistant coaches in the gym, while North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis was in attendance.
UK associate coach Orlando Antigua represented the Wildcats in Springfield for Sunday’s game, which was a matchup between Jackson’s Cardinal Hayes team and 2023 UK signee Justin Edwards’ Imhotep Institute squad.
Edwards got the better of Jackson and powered Imhotep to a narrow win.
In December, both Antigua and UK Coach John Calipari stopped by Cardinal Hayes to watch Jackson play the day after UK’s CBS Sports Classic loss to UCLA.
Jackson attended that UK game played at Madison Square Garden.
Missing out on Jackson is a significant blow to begin UK’s recruiting efforts in 2024, as the Wildcats spent plenty of time scouting, visiting and attempting to secure the commitment of Jackson.
He’s repeatedly expressed a desire to be a one-and-done college player as well, something that’s become synonymous with Kentucky under Calipari.
Meanwhile, North Carolina is off to an impressive start with its 2024 recruiting class.
The Tar Heels already have four commits in the class of 2024.
Jackson joins point guard Elliot Cadeau (a former Louisville recruit), small forward Drake Powell and center James Brown as Tar Heel pledges for 2024.
Kentucky still looking for first 2024 commit
Kentucky men’s basketball is still without a commit in the class of 2024.
While this isn’t unusual for a John Calipari-coached team at UK, it remains something to monitor, especially given recent reports about Cal’s future in Lexington.
Here’s a reminder of every class of 2024 player that currently holds a Kentucky scholarship offer:
▪ PG Tahaad Pettiford.
▪ SG Isaiah Elohim.
▪ SG Ian Jackson. Jackson committed to North Carolina on Monday.
▪ SF Airious Bailey. Bailey committed to Rutgers on Sunday. Bailey is the highest-ranked recruit in Rutgers history.
▪ SF Trentyn Flowers.
▪ SF Amier Ali.
▪ C Flory Bidunga.
