What does GG Jackson’s decommitment mean for UNC basketball’s 2023 recruiting class?
When GG Jackson committed to North Carolina last April, his status as the top recruit in the 2023 class supercharged the Tar Heels’ future.
On Thursday night, that all changed when the 6-8 Jackson renounced that commitment. On3.com and 247sports.com have each reported he plans to reclassify to the 2022 class and play at South Carolina for a season before turning pro.
With Jackson out of the picture, what does UNC’s 2023 class look like?
At this point, the only player committed to the Tar Heels for that class is 6-4 guard Simeon Wilcher, a five-star recruit from Roselle, New Jersey. He’s the No. 14 player in the class, per 247sports.com.
Jackson was one of three power forwards UNC has offered in the class, joining Mackenzie Mgbako and T.J. Power. The 6-8 Mgbako, a five-star recruit, is committed to Duke.
A four-star recruit, Power’s profile is rising with strong play this summer. Ohio State offered him on June 27, followed by Kansas on July 10. After UNC offered him on Tuesday, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer offered Power on Thursday.
Elsewhere, UNC offered the nation’s No. 1-rated point guard, Robert Dillingham. A one-time commit to N.C. State, Dillingham committed to Kentucky on June 27.
The Tar Heels also have an offer out to another five-star point guard, 6-3 Isaiah Collier of Marietta, Georgia. But Collier appears to be looking elsewhere, having visited Alabama, Cincinnati, UCLA and Southern California.
UNC took a run at 6-9 forward Matas Buzelis, the nation’s No. 6-rated player and a five-star recruit who is also having a good summer on the grassroots circuit. But Buzelis, who visited Wake Forest, Florida State and Kentucky, announced last month he’ll be taking the professional route by joining G League Elite next year.
Landon Johnson, a four-star guard whom the Tar Heels offered last August, also appears likely to take the pro route.
The Tar Heels also have an offer out to a four-star player in 6-8 JJ Taylor from Simi Valley, California. Taylor, who also holds a Duke offer, has made one official visit to Kentucky.
This story was originally published July 15, 2022 at 11:42 AM.