As Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 college basketball season, the future is bright in terms of recruiting.
The Tar Heels currently have a three-man 2024 recruiting class headlined by five-star recruits Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. They also have a four-star big man James Brown, giving Davis a good foundation for his class.
Both Jackson and Powell are a big reason why the Tar Heels have a top 3 class, and in a recent update by Rivals, both landed in the top 10 for the 2024 rankings.
Powell shot up the rankings after committing to UNC back in September of 2022 and checks in at No. 8. Here is what Rob Cassidy had to say about the recruit:
Cassidy’s Take: A future North Carolina Tar Heel, Drake Powell had an impressive grassroots season but really turned it on at Peach Jam, where he looked like the complete player into which many had hoped he’d blossom. In five games at the event, Powell shot 55% from the floor and averaged 16.6 PPG, 10 RPG and 3.6 APG.
He is hitting his stride as he begins his senior year and has looked every bit like a top-10 player for the better part of the last three months.
Jackson wasn’t too far behind him, coming in at No. 9:
Cassidy’s Take: The 6-foot-5 Ian Jackson is one of the most athletic prospects in the class. He’s a much better defender than he sometimes gets credit for being, possibly because his three-level scoring ability hogs the headlines. He’s best in transition but has some serious shot-creation ability in the half court as well.
The Tar Heels are likely done in the 2024 class unless there is a reclassification by a future prospect. They will likely add in the transfer portal as well but the foundation is good for Davis and his staff.
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