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UNC Basketball: Justin Jackson’s jersey goes into the rafters

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NC- APRIL 4: Joel Berry II (R) and Justin Jackson of the North Carolina Tar Heels are recognized by having their jerseys retired during their welcome-home reception for the NCAA men's basketball team on April 4, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 71-65 yesterday to win the national championship. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC- APRIL 4: Joel Berry II (R) and Justin Jackson of the North Carolina Tar Heels are recognized by having their jerseys retired during their welcome-home reception for the NCAA men's basketball team on April 4, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 71-65 yesterday to win the national championship. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images) /
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Justin Jackson has his jersey lifted into the rafters during Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech

The North Carolina Tar Heels were at home on Saturday taking on Georgia Tech in the Dean Dome, marking the only time they will have back-to-back home games in the ACC this season.

UNC is coming off a big win over Clemson on Tuesday and closed out Georgia Tech on Saturday to win their fourth-straight game improving to 16-4 overall and 5-2 in the ACC.

The Tar Heels led 35-28 at halftime and never relinquished the lead, putting together some strong play in the second half.

While UNC used the break to get ready for the upcoming second half, the program honored a recent standout who helped the Tar Heels capture their sixth national championship.

Former Tar Heel and reigning ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson had his No. 44 jersey lifted into the rafters.

Check out the video from the halftime ceremony:

https://twitter.com/UNC_Basketball/status/954805768888487936

Jackson averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his junior season last year for the Tar Heels.

He shot a career-high 37 percent from the three-point line and was a big key in UNC not only returning to the Final Four but winning it all a year after some heartbreak to Villanova.

By winning the ACC Player of the Year, Jackson met one of the five requirements to have your jersey go into the rafters in the Dean E. Smith Center. His jersey number won’t be retired as the criteria for that is winning the National Player of the Year.

Jackson’s former teammate and part of that great 2014 recruiting class, Joel Berry, will have his jersey lifted into the rafters next year.

Berry scored 16 points in the Tar Heels win on Saturday.

Jackson is currently a member of the Sacramento Kings as they will take on the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

For more on former and current UNC Basketball players, please check back with Keeping It Heel.

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