What Derek Dixon provides for UNC basketball’s 2025 recruiting class

UNC basketball has picked up its first commitment from a player in the 2025 class.

Derek Dixon, a combo guard from Washington, D.C., announced his commitment to the Tar Heels on Friday afternoon via the 247Sports YouTube Channel.

“I’m gonna be committing to North Carolina. Go Tar Heels,” Dixon said as he revealed a UNC t-shirt and hat.

A top-50 prospect according to the 247Sports Composite, Dixon picked UNC over ACC foes Pittsburgh and Virginia, along with Vanderbilt. The No. 6 combo guard in the 2025 class, Dixon joins Nate Britt and Ed Davis as former players from the nation’s capital to pick the Tar Heels.

Derek Dixon can help Hubert Davis, UNC basketball fill void left by RJ Davis

In addition to the “genuine nature” of head coach Hubert Davis, Dixon said he feels like he fits UNC’s playing style.

Dixon also sees an “opportunity” to play right away as a guard after RJ Davis’ fifth and final season in Chapel Hill. Sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau, along with freshmen Drake Powell and Ian Jackson, could also be gone as possible NBA Draft selections.

“RJ Davis is leaving, so that’s a big hole,” Dixon said. “(The coaches), they feel I can come in and fill that role.”

When asked to describe his game, Dixon said UNC is “getting someone who’s a winner” and a player who has “versatility.”

The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 15 points and three rebounds per game with Team Takeover in the EYBL season, shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range with a 91% success rate at the free-throw line.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball: What Derek Dixon brings to Tar Heels 2025 recruiting class