Why No. 2 recruit Ian Jackson picked UNC over Kentucky: Theyll stick with you

Ian Jackson did such a good job keeping his college decision a secret that even his coach at Cardinal Hayes, Joe Lods, had no idea which program the No. 2 player in the Class of 2024 was going to pick Monday. All Lods could say with confidence beforehand was that it would be Kentucky, North Carolina or Arkansas — Oregon and LSU were also finalists — and that those three had all made persuasive pitches centered around Jackson’s desire to be a one-and-done NBA Draft pick.

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“(John) Calipari says, ‘I’m the one-and-done guy. I have the blueprint.’ And (Eric) Musselman says, ‘No, no, I coached there. I know what they’re looking for.’ And Hubert Davis says, ‘Well, I played there. I know how to get there,’” Lods said. “He came back and he’s like, I don’t know which one of these guys really has it.”

It’s understandable that all three would pitch their NBA ties, given the reality of Jackson’s situation. The 6-foot-4 guard is a pro-in-waiting and will actualize that trajectory — likely via a lottery selection — as soon as humanly possible. He’s too good an offensive player, too skilled a scorer in every way, not to. Combine his aggressive driving and ability to finish inside with his ample athleticism, and you’ve got most everything NBA teams look for in backcourt prospects. Any of Calipari or Musselman or Davis could propel a player of Jackson’s pedigree where he wants to get to, with plenty of college wins along that path.

So, how did Jackson discern between the three?

As it turns out, by relying on something else entirely: his relationships with all three coaches.

Which is why on Monday afternoon, Jackson announced his long-awaited commitment to North Carolina, becoming the second 2024 five-star to do so in a month’s time (following his close friend, point guard Elliot Cadeau). In Cadeau and now Jackson, Hubert Davis has his backcourt of the future — and, perhaps more importantly, proof that his recruiting style can still win out in the modern college landscape.

Want to know what separated UNC from the rest of the pack?

“Just the family atmosphere,” Jackson said on ESPN after announcing his choice. “It was different than any other visit I had.”

That was emphasized by Davis from the beginning of the recruiting process, according to Clarence Leggett, Jackson’s AAU coach on the Adidas-sponsored Wiz Kids. Leggett said that Davis — who played the same position as Jackson during his 12-year NBA career — made it clear both before and during Jackson’s recent official visit that he cared about the high school junior as more than just a basketball player.

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“The family-oriented thing was when we got there; all the coaches had their kids there, at the game, had the kids in their office. It was just a great support,” Leggett said. “As a young kid coming from New York, you need that too.”

But there was more to the equation, too. Jackson didn’t just consider which school has produced the most one-and-done players in the last decade; if so, he’d be a Wildcat. Instead, he wanted a place that would support his development, warts and all.

“You need that feeling and that support that he’s going to be OK. If I make mistakes, they’re going to stick with me,” Leggett added. “Some schools don’t let you make mistakes. You’ve got no room for mistakes. They just throw you to the dogs. You have to really look at that also. The decision he’s making, you have to go where you feel comfortable and you can make mistakes and they’ll stick with you.”

SG Ian Jackson — the No. 2 recruit of the 2024 class — announced his commitment to UNC Monday.

Kentucky and Arkansas were the other finalists to land the Cardinal Hayes High (Bronx, N.Y.) junior.https://t.co/juBFeSGTwU

— The Athletic CBB (@TheAthleticCBB) January 16, 2023

What better example of that is there than Davis’ continued faith and trust in Caleb Love the last two seasons, despite bouts of inconsistency? If not for Davis’ steadfast belief, maybe Love doesn’t have his sensational NCAA Tournament run, including hitting the game-deciding 3-pointer against Duke in the Final Four. How Davis has handled Love the last two seasons, for better or worse, proves how much relentless belief he has in his players.

Did Kentucky place as much emphasis on that sentiment as UNC did?

“Not really. It wasn’t really about that,”Leggett said. “(Kentucky’s) not a place for everybody. ‘Everybody can’t play here’ is what it was. Ian’s not afraid to take on a challenge. Not at all. But you know, families, moms and dads, we weigh all that stuff out and see what’s best for him.”

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And ultimately, Jackson decided that what was best for him was teaming with Cadeau in Carolina blue. (How Davis handles his pending backcourt logjam — with R.J. Davis and Seth Trimble, and D’Marco Dunn and Simeon Wilcher, and now these two — is a tomorrow problem.) In committing to the Tar Heels, though, Jackson becomes UNC’s highest-rated guard commit since Cole Anthony, and Davis’ top-ranked backcourt commit thus far as head coach. Jackson said he does not plan on reclassifying and will stay in the 2024 class.

In doing so, he sends a number of statements about Davis’ recruiting chops. Not only did the second-year head coach fend off two of the SEC’s recruiting giants, but he did so by seemingly going against the grain of modern college athletics. Davis’ pitch wasn’t predicated on NIL opportunities, or his track record of producing pros — he can’t really compete with Calipari or Musselman there — but rather on a lifelong relationship that extends beyond the basketball court. Davis’ personality as a plus has been a common recruiting refrain the last year and change, but not with a player of Jackson’s caliber.

At least not until now.

“Hubert Davis was a great guy. His staff was just great,” Lods said. “The support and the fan support, it was amazing.”

(Photo: John Jones / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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