UNC basketball freshman Ian Jackson’s confidence tested in season of highs and lows
What’s up with Ian Jackson?
More and more, that question is being asked about the North Carolina freshman as his scoring has waned, his impact on games has been negligible, and the Tar Heels have struggled to stack together ACC basketball wins.
Granted, Jackson is playing his first year of college basketball. While he had five stars attached to his recruiting resume, while he has big-time quickness and a basketball bravado about him, there have been lows to match the highs.
One of those lows came Monday: Jackson took eight shots and missed them all in the Tar Heels’ 85-65 beating at Clemson. He had three points, all at the foul line.
UNC guard R.J. Davis said he talked with Jackson during the game, urging him to keep shooting, to be assertive, to believe in his game.
“He’s a great player and I think he’s trying to find his groove and rhythm a little bit,” Davis said. “One thing about him, I know he’s a confident kid and he’s going to continue to keep shooting, because that’s what we need.”
UNC coach Hubert Davis, asked about Jackson after the game, remained positive in his comments.
“Ian’s a great kid and a talented player,” he said. “Ian’s always been competitive. He’s a joy to coach.”
Remember Jackson in New York, a few days before Christmas? There was much joy that day for the Bronx native. Playing at Madison Square Garden, with family and friends there to see him, he had 24 points, jetting up and down the court, smiling all the way in UNC’s 76-74 win over UCLA.
“There was a lot of love in the crowd,” Jackson said that day.
That was the start of a string of 23 or more points, when UNC coach Hubert Davis talked of how the 6-4 wing could make scoring look easy. He did against Notre Dame, igniting for 27. After an 18-point game against SMU, Jackson had 21 points in the Heels’ win at N.C. State, and then 20 as UNC beat Cal at home.
There was much chatter of Jackson being a one-and-done, of being a first-round pick in those 2025 NBA mock drafts.
But Jackson had a six-point game in the Heels’ one-point loss to Stanford at home. He followed with seven points in another close loss, at Wake Forest — a combined 4-for-19 from the field and 1-of-12 on 3-pointers.
Against Pitt on Saturday, Jackson was scoreless for the first time this season as the Heels clawed out a 67-66 win at the Smith Center. He has been in double figures once in the past seven games — 19 points against Boston College in UNC’s overtime win Jan. 25 at the Smith Center.
“It’s just that kind of stretch,” Jackson recently explained. “It’s basketball. It happens. The same way I was scoring 20, it can go bad a little bit.
“But I’m fine. My confidence is still super high. …. I believe in the work I put in and I believe I’m the best player on the floor every time I step on the floor.”
That was said a few days before the Duke game. He had eight points in the 87-70 loss to the Blue Devils in Durham, then followed that up with offensive no-shows against Pitt and Clemson.
Teams are cutting off the driving lanes for Jackson. They’re quicker to get to him at the 3-point line — Jackson hit a season-high five 3’s against the Wolfpack. They keep an eye on him in transition, aware of his explosiveness and willingness to take it to the basket.
Coach Davis said Monday there were other ways for Jackson to help his team. Grab a rebound. Get a deflection. Help on defense. Fight for a loose ball. The message: It’s not all about scoring.
“For everyone, there’s an adjustment as you grow as a player,” Davis said in the postgame. “Scouting reports change on you. Tendencies by the opponents are noticed more. But there are opportunities to continue to grow.”
The Tar Heels, who play Saturday at Syracuse, have seven games remaining in the regular season and the ACC tournament to play. There’s still time for Jackson to have an impact, and March is always a good time to shine.
