UNC Basketball Recruiting: G.G. Jackson approaching No. 1 ranking?

The UNC basketball program’s top target in the class of 2023 is among the best in the nation and could be in line for a No. 1-ranking in the near future.

Hubert Davis and the North Carolina basketball program are pushing hard for a commitment from class of 2023 five-star power forward G.G. Jackson, and their efforts to this point appear to be paying off.

Jackson, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound native of Columbia, South Carolina, has visited with the Tar Heels on a number of occasions, including a trip to Chapel Hill in mid-October for the team’s Late Night festivities at the Dean Smith Center. It was then that Simeon Wilcher, a fellow five-star recruit in the 2023 class, made his commitment to North Carolina. And all signs currently point toward Jackson eventually choosing the same path.

Late last week, the Tar Heels received their fourth Crystal Ball prediction for Jackson, this one from 247Sports Director of Basketball Scouting, Jerry Meyer. Meyer’s pick carries with it a high level of confidence (7/10), and comes just weeks after 247Sports’ National Basketball Director Eric Bossi’s Jackson-to-UNC prediction.

Although it’s still early and Jackson’s commitment may still be quite some time away, this is all good news for the Tar Heels. They’ll obviously have their work cut out for them, as Jackson already holds offers from a number of the top basketball programs in the country including Duke, Tennessee and Virginia. There’s also a strong belief that Jackson’s hometown Gamecocks could put up a real fight, and the Georgetown Hoyas are in the mix as well.

The entire North Carolina coaching staff was on hand for Jackson’s game on Friday night, further evidencing their interest in him. We also know that Jackson has an official visit with the Duke Blue Devils scheduled for January 21. I’d expect the elite big man to take a number of other official visits by the time his recruitment is finished.

Hubert Davis and his staff will keep the full-court press on for Jackson in the coming months in hopes of adding one of the nation’s most athletic and talented big men to a class that already boasts one of the nation’s best guards.

Jackson making a push to be the No. 1-ranked recruit in the class of 2023?

According to 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst, Travis Branham, Jackson is making a strong push toward the top of the 2023 rankings. As Branham states in a recent recruiting roundup, Jackson’s case for No. 1 is as strong as anyone’s and his skill set and versatility on the court certainly seem to back that up.

"“The race for No. 1 is wide open in the class of 2023 with a handful of prospects all with a case to be made as to why they should have the top spot,” Branham said. “Last night, another prospect entered the conversation in GG Jackson, the current No. 8 overall prospect (Top247) in the class.”"

Jackson is developing as a ball-handler and distributor, both of which will be valuable assets at the college level. He’s also becoming a more capable shooter off the dribble and off the catch. That’s all in addition to the tremendous athleticism he possesses, his dominant post play and rebounding ability, and defensive prowess.

Jackson is currently the No. 10 prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s third among power forwards in the class, and first in the state of South Carolina. He’s slightly higher in the Top247 at No. 8, and second at his position.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Tar Heels’ pursuit of G.G. Jackson, and everything on UNC basketball recruiting.