UNC freshman Ian Jackson earns praise from Andy Katz

If you don’t recognize the North Carolina Tar Heels’ 2024-2025 basketball roster, that’s because it’ll be filled with transfers and younger players.

Those transfers are highlighted by projected starters Cade Tyson and Ven-Allen Lubin, who could play anywhere from the 3-5 spots. UNC did also add an experienced forward in Georgia Tech transfer Tyzhaun Claude, though he is expected to appear off the bench.

North Carolina will sport a trio of talented freshmen in James Brown, Drake Powell and Ian Jackson, with Jackson expected to be a starter and one of the top freshmen in college basketball.

Just ask well-known college basketball analyst Andy Katz, who ranks Jackson as 10th in his list of the Top 10 freshmen in college basketball. Jackson is just behind Syracuse’s Donavan Freeman.

There’s a few other freshmen you’ll recognize on Katz’ list, most notably Duke duo Cooper Flagg and Khaman Malauch, but also Rutgers freshmen Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.

Jackson will likely start at small forward if Hubert Davis puts him in the starting lineup, as Elliot Cadeau and reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis occupy the starting guard spots. There’s a possibility Jackson starts at guard and Cadeau comes off the bench, but we won’t know until deeper into the offseason.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC freshman Ian Jackson earns praise from Andy Katz