UNC Basketball: Tar Heels get Crystal Ball prediction for five-star recruit

The UNC basketball program has picked up a Crystal Ball prediction for one of the nation’s top power forwards.

Just a day after the North Carolina Tar Heels earned their first commitment from a class of 2023 prospect — five-star combo guard Simeon Wilcher — they picked up a Crystal Ball prediction for one of the nation’s top front court players. That player is Gregory “G.G.” Jackson, and the prediction came from Duke insider Adam Rowe of The Devils Den, submitting his pick of medium confidence for the Tar Heels on Saturday night.

Jackson, the No. 10 recruit in the 2023 class according to both the 247Sports Composite and the Rivals150, is a 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward from Columbia South Carolina that already boasts scholarship offers from nearly 20 Division I programs. Among them are Alabama, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Kansas, NC State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The Tar Heels joined Jackson’s distinguished list of schools back in late June when first-year UNC head coach Hubert Davis officially offered the Ridge View High School junior. They’ve clearly prioritized the talented big man, who went from fringe five-star prospect in mid-March to consensus top-20 prospect by summer’s end.

And it all makes sense when you look at everything that Jackson brings to the table. He’s already got great height and length, and has time to put on some additional weight between now and the time he arrives on a college campus next year. He’s got a versatile skill set that’s evidenced by his solid ball-handling abilities, developing jump shot and excellent interior game. He’s fast getting up and down the court, has moves that will leave his defender in the dust and can finish above the rim.

Jackson gets frequent visits from a number of the programs on his list, including a recent one from Duke head coach-in-waiting Jon Scheyer and assistants Chris Carrawell and Nolan Smith. Jackson has also taken a number of trips himself, including ones to Clemson, North Carolina, NC State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

Although we aren’t anywhere near ready to say we’re comfortable knowing where Jackson will end up next year, the Tar Heels do seem to be in good position with the rising star. We do expect a lot more communication between Jackson and the North Carolina coaching staff in the coming months.

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Gregory Jackson recruitment, and everything on the UNC basketball program.