UNC basketball recruits Drake Powell, Ian Jackson continue rise as future Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL — August has arrived and North Carolina basketball remains atop the recruiting rankings for the 2024 class, according to 247Sports.

Even with point guard Elliot Cadeau choosing to reclassify and join the Tar Heels for the 2023-24 season, UNC has a trio of high-profile prospects committed to join coach Hubert Davis’ program ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Ian Jackson and Drake Powell are five-star recruits and James Brown is a four-star center, according to 247Sports.

Here’s an update on UNC’s three commits in the 2024 class and some another recruit who could be picking the Tar Heels in the near future.

Ian Jackson, Drake Powell rising as Tar Heels’ top recruits

Ian Jackson and Drake Powell are currently among the top-10 recruits in the nation, according to 247Sports.

The talented class could end up challenging Carolina’s 2006 class, which included a trio of top-10 prospects — Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson and Brandan Wright.

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When Powell committed to the Tar Heels in September 2022, he was the 58th-ranked recruit in the 247Sports Composite. The in-state wing thrived as a junior at Northwood High and had a strong summer to move inside the top 20 nationally.

Powell averaged a double-double (16.6 ppg and 10.0 rpg) at the Peach Jam tournament in July. He also recently earned an invite to the Nike Skills Academy, where he’ll get the chance to learn from NBA players.

Jackson is the fifth-ranked recruit in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports. He’s UNC’s highest-ranked prospect on 247Sports since Nassir Little in 2018.

Jackson committed to the Tar Heels in January and has garnered a crowd of attention from NBA scouts in the summer. According to ProInsight, Jackson averaged 29.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.3 rebounds per game at Adidas All-American Camp.

Don’t forget about James Brown

Armando Bacot is entering his final season with the Tar Heels, but 6-foot-9 forward James Brown will arrive in Chapel Hill next year as UNC’s latest post player.

Brown, who committed to UNC in January, is 66th in the 247Sports Compositive. He was invited to attend NBA star Damian Lillard’s Formula Zero Elite Camp on Aug. 16.

After three years at St. Rita High School, Brown is set to play for Link Academy – Cadeau’s former school – this season.

Boogie Fland has UNC basketball among top choices

Boogie Fland, the eighth-ranked recruit in the 247Sports Composite, has UNC among his final eight schools. The five-star guard has taken an official visit to Chapel Hill, but there’s no timetable for Fland’s decision.

Carolina has experienced success with recruiting New York guards, including Jackson, RJ Davis and Cole Anthony in recent years. Like Fland, Davis attended Archbishop Stepinac. Fland averaged 15 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a junior.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball recruits Ian Jackson, Drake Powell shining this summer