Ian Jackson picks family atmosphere at North Carolina for his college choice

Ian Jackson after he announced his commitment to North Carolina Monday. (Nico Fiscella/The Springfield Student)

Cardinal Hayes High School of New York City will be in Kentucky in less than three weeks to play in the Prep Spin Classic at Mercer County High School in Harrodsburg.

The team accepted a spot in the tourney because star Ian Jackson, a 6-4 junior guard, was being recruited by Kentucky and wanted the team to play in the Bluegrass. The team also planned on going to see Kentucky play Florida Feb. 4 in Rupp Arena after playing its game in Harrodsburg.

Maybe the team will still go to Rupp Arena, but that might be the last time Jackson is there. He verbally committed to North Carolina, not Kentucky, Monday during the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., where UK signees Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw and Reed Sheppard were all also playing.

Jackson had made five official visits — Kentucky, Oregon, LSU, North Carolina and Arkansas. He came to UK for Big Blue Madness in October on his first official visit.

Ian Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound shooting guard out of Cardinal Hayes High School in New York City, announced his commitment to North Carolina on Monday afternoon, picking UNC over a list of finalists that included Kentucky. Jackson announced his college commitment live on ESPNU during the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“Process of elimination, and I feel like I was content with my choice,” Jackson said on ESPNU when asked why he committed now.

Why North Carolina?

“Just a family atmosphere,” Jackson said on ESPNU. “It was way different than any other visit I’ve been on.”

It was the second 2024 recruiting loss in two days for UK. On Sunday five-star prospect Ace Bailey committed to Rutgers.