UNC Basketball Recruiting: Tar Heels target could take 2023’s top spot

A rising UNC basketball recruiting target could end up being the No. 1-ranked player in the class of 2023.

Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels are pushing hard for a commitment from class of 2023 five-star power forward Gregory “G.G.” Jackson, and to this point, their efforts appear to be paying off. Along with the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Tar Heels are currently on a shortlist of programs considered to be early favorites for the talented big man out of Ridge View High School.

After extending a scholarship offer to Jackson in June of 2021, the Tar Heels quickly prioritized him with frequent communication, multiple trips to his games and visits with him at their historical campus in Chapel Hill.

And it’s probably good that they got in on the ground floor with Jackson and worked to build a strong relationship with him in the months that followed, because he may well end up among the two or three most coveted recruits in the nation. So much so that Rivals’ recruiting analyst Rob Cassidy believes Jackson has a chance to dethrone current 2023 No. 1 prospect DJ Wagner from the top spot.

"“DJ Wagner’s stranglehold on the top spot in 2023 has loosened a bit, and Jackson is the main reason why,” Cassidy writes. “The 6-foot-9 forward’s ascent began during the July live period and has continued through the high school season thus far. A strong and impressive athlete that can handle the ball and score at all three levels, Jackson has few holes in his game, as he’s a ferocious rebounder in addition to being one of the country’s premier scores. His recent performances at the Tarkanian Classic and the Chick-Fil-A Classic have made him a surefire bet to move up significantly in February.”"

247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Travis Branham had similar things to say about Jackson last month, believing that he is one of a handful of players with an opportunity to take over the class’s top spot, noting the Columbia, South Carolina native’s broad skill set and tremendous versatility resulting in a potential rise to the top of the rankings.

By no means does the Tar Heels’ current momentum with Jackson make him a shoo-in to end up in Chapel Hill, but with all of the high-major programs targeting him, it certainly can’t hurt. Current Crystal Ball predictions from 247Sports insiders and analysts are 100 percent in favor of the Tar Heels. They’re battling the likes of Auburn, Duke, Florida State and Tennessee and others will likely join the chase before it’s all said and done.

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.

For all the latest news, views and rumors on Gregory “G.G.” Jackson and UNC basketball recruiting as a whole, check back with Keeping It Heel.