A few weeks ago, the UNC basketball program got hit with the first bit of ‘bad news’ in an offseason that has been anything but.
When No. 1 overall prospect [autotag]GG Jackson[/autotag] de-committed from North Carolina, fans were in an uproar. The official news came after weeks of speculation and rumors of an eventual de-commitment.
While fans went crazy on social media blasting Jackson, one current UNC player came to his defense.
UNC guard [autotag]Caleb Love[/autotag] recently addressed the issue and said he even reached out to Jackson.
“I heard the rumors before it happened and I called him and we talked a bit,” Love said during an open media session last week. “I told him whatever happens, we’re still going to be good regardless. He’s a kid. He’s making the best decision for him and his family, so I can’t be mad at that.”
“I feel like the fans were kind of too hard on him, as far as he’s just 17 or 18 (years old). Talking like that to him can change his life or change the way he looks at things or make him regret certain things. So I just say give him and his family that ability to make that decision for them.”
Part of the reasons for the change in heart for Jackson was the ability to re-class and join the 2022 recruiting class. While UNC initially had an open spot for him, there were numerous reports that indicated Jackson didn’t want to join the 2022 class and would rather stay in 2023. Jackson committed to the Tar Heels back in April, and once he made it known he wanted to stay in 2023, UNC used that open scholarship for Northwestern transfer Pete Nance.
Following the news he was re-opening his recruitment, it was just days later when he announced his commitment to South Carolina, his home state, and would be reclassifying into 2022.
Despite all of the feelings from fans towards Jackson, they have to be pretty happy with a leader like Caleb Love and the initiative he took in this situation.
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