A look at UNC basketball's No. 1 ranked 2024 recruiting class, led by Ian Jackson
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North Carolina basketball has the No. 1 recruiting class in the 2024 rankings, according to several sites.
On3, 247Sports and Rivals have the Tar Heels at the top of the list for second-year coach Hubert Davis.
UNC’s 2024 class includes a pair of five-star recruits and two four-star commits. The top-tier talent in the class could end up challenging Carolina’s 2006 class, which included a trio of top-10 prospects – Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson and Brandan Wright.
Combo guard Simeon Wilcher and forward Zayden High, a pair of top-50 signees, also are set to join the Tar Heels as part of the 2023 recruiting class. But here’s a look at the 2024 class so far.
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Ian Jackson
A 6-foot-4 guard from Cardinal Hayes High School in New York, Ian Jackson is ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports. He would be UNC’s highest-ranked prospect since Harrison Barnes in the 2010 class, according to 247Sports.
Kentucky was considered the favorite to nab Jackson, but he rolled with the Tar Heels when he announced his decision on Jan. 16. Cole Anthony and RJ Davis are among the recent New York guards to choose UNC.
Like Jackson, Jimmy Black – the captain of UNC’s 1982 national championship team – played at Cardinal Hayes.
An electric guard, Jackson told 247Sports “Coach (Hubert) Davis is hoping I can come in and find a spot similar to Caleb Love.”
Elliot Cadeau
The point guard of the group, Elliot Cadeau was the first five-star recruit to commit to the Tar Heels in the 2024 class. The 6-foot-1 New Jersey native is the top-ranked lead guard in the class, according to 247Sports.
Known as an elite passer, Cadeau’s ability perfectly aligns with the type of floor leader UNC’s best teams have had at the position.
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In the summer of 2022, Cadeau helped Sweden win gold at the FIBA U18 European Championship in Division B. He scored 36 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists and nabbed four steals in the title game to snag tournament MVP honors.
Cadeau committed to the Tar Heels in late December.
James Brown
A 6-foot-9 forward, James Brown committed on Jan. 2.
Top-five nationally as a center, according to 247Sports, the Chicago native is heralded as a player comfortable with using either hand while patrolling the post.
“You're probably wondering: why North Carolina?” Brown wrote in a commitment column published by Inside Carolina. “It's honestly not that complicated – at UNC everything was bigger than basketball.”
The rangy center is averaging 10.7 points and 8.1 rebounds through 21 games at St. Rita High School.
Drake Powell
The local prospect in the group, Drake Powell has been the talk of Pittsboro and Northwood High since he arrived on the scene for the Chargers.
The top-50 wing became UNC’s first commitment in the 2024 class when he picked the Tar Heels in early September. Powell’s motor matches his athleticism, evidenced by his steady improvement in all facets of the game over his first three seasons at Northwood.
The 6-foot-5 wing is averaging 18.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals through 18 games this season.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: North Carolina basketball recruiting: Tar Heels have No. 1 2024 class
