UNC Basketball Recruiting: G.G. Jackson’s Crystal Ball flipping to rival

Recent Crystal Ball predictions for the top UNC basketball recruiting target in the class of 2023 have shifted.

When South Carolina head coach Frank Martin was relieved of his duties on Monday afternoon, speculation regarding Gregory “G.G.” Jackson’s high-profile recruitment and upcoming college decision immediately began to swirl.

That’s because Jackson, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the class of 2023 according to the updated Rivals150, was thought by most to be favoring the South Carolina Gamecocks, in large part due to the relationship that he and his family had built with the now-unemployed Martin.

Given recent developments, the other five finalists on Jackson’s list started feeling a little more optimistic about their chances with the 6-foot-9, 210-pound power forward out of Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina. But that may have all been for naught for anyone not named Duke, as a pair of new Crystal Ball predictions on 247Sports came in for the Blue Devils shortly after the news of Martin’s firing broke.

Granted, both are from Duke insiders, Adam Rowe and John Watson of The Devils Den, which obviously must be taken into consideration. So, too, must the level of confidence in their picks, which currently stands at low (3) and medium (5), respectively.

Still, it can’t be viewed by Auburn, Georgetown, North Carolina, or the NBA G-League as a positive sign, what with the kind of success that Duke has continually had on the recruiting trail over the past decade. Nothing is set in stone, though, and there’s apparently time remaining in Jackson’s recruitment before a decision is made.

But it goes without being said that I wouldn’t be shocked if Jackson ultimately committed to Duke. The Blue Devils have been at or near the top of recruiting boards for the majority of the one-and-done era, even though it’s resulted in just one national title in that time.

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