Reports: North Carolina freshman Ian Jackson makes decision to enter transfer portal
One of the biggest questions after North Carolina’s basketball season was if the Tar Heels would lose one or both of their two freshmen wing players, Ian Jackson and Drake Powell.
According to multiple media reports Monday, Jackson has decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Jackson proved to be an explosive, if inconsistent offensive player for the Tar Heels. A five-star recruit out of the Bronx, the 6-4 wing scored 20 or more points eight times while averaging 11.9 points per game for the season.
Jackson averaged 23.8 minutes per game and was a 39.5% shooter from 3-point distance. He had a season-high five made 3’s in three roads wins -- over N.C. State, Syracuse and Virginia Tech.
Jackson had a slow start to his first season of college ball, but had 23 points in the UNC loss to Alabama in the ACC/SEC Challenge game Dec. 4 in Chapel Hill, hitting 10 of 17 shots from the field and three of five 3s.
A return to New York and the Heels’ game against UCLA at Madison Square Garden appeared to fully energize Jackson. He had 24 points in the 76-74 win over the Bruins, later saying he was buoyed by having so many family members and friends at the game to see him work.
That began a string of four consecutive games of 20 or more points, including his season high of 27 at Notre Dame. After an 18-point game against SMU, he had two more 20-point games — 21 at N.C. State and 20 against Cal.
More and more, Jackson’s name appeared higher in NBA mock drafts, with talk of him possibly declaring for the draft after the season and being a first-round pick.
But Jackson’s productivity dipped as teams look to cut off his driving lanes and better defend him tighter at the arc. He had one more 20-point game — 23 at Syracuse — although his five 3s and 19 points helped the Heels win easily at Virginia Tech.
But Jackson scored just seven points in the ACC Tournament — none against Duke in the semifinals — and had one point in UNC’s 71-64 NCAA tournament loss to Mississippi, playing 10 minutes and going 0-3 from the field.
After the game, Jackson said he was not ready to discuss any future moves — the “next step,” as he called it
Powell, another 5-star recruit and a starter at small forward down the stretch for the Tar Heels, has not announced a decision on next season.
Jackson became the third player to enter the portal, following point guard Elliot Cadeau and forward Jalen Washington. Cadeau quickly committed to Michigan.
“I learned a lot,” Jackson said of the season after the loss to Ole Miss. “I learned things don’t always go your way. I felt this year I played a different role than I’m used to playing, which was great for me. I had a chance to evolve a different way and kind of experience something different on the basketball court.
“It’s been a roller coaster but it’s been a great year for me. I learned a lot, on and off the court.”
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Reports: North Carolina freshman Ian Jackson makes decision to enter transfer portal."
