By ADAM ZAGORIA
Ian Jackson, the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2024, is closing in on a college decision.
The 6-foot-4 Jackson told Rivals a decision is “coming soon” and a source close to the situation told ZAGSBLOG it could happen before the end of the month.
The 5-star shooting guard from Cardinal Hayes in The Bronx is expected to decide between Kentucky and North Carolina with Arkansas among those also in the mix. He has also visited LSU and Oregon. His crystal ball on 247Sports is currently 100% in favor of Kentucky.
Jackson leaves Friday following his team’s game with St. Raymond’s for an official visit to North Carolina. The Tar Heels host Notre Dame on Saturday.
He will also visit Arkansas Jan. 11 for the Alabama game, per Hayes coach Joe Lods.
“I have a visit to UNC in January,” Jackson told ZAGSBLOG last month. “Me and Coach [Hubert] Davis have a good bond. He came in yesterday to practice and the way me and him connect right now is just great.”
North Carolina now has three 2024 commits in point guard Elliot Cadeau, small forward Drake Powell and big man James Brown, who committed Monday.
Jackson has long been linked to Kentucky, and saw the Wildcats play last month against UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Star studded group at Christ the king against cardinal Hayes including Carmelo, coach Cal and Shaheen Holloway pic.twitter.com/b9aNDWXK2g
— Charlie Parent (@charlie_parent) December 18, 2022
Kentucky coach John Calipari and assistant and top recruiter Orlando Antigua watched Jackson play against Stepinac on Dec. 18, the day after the UCLA game.
“Coach Cal thinks I can go to the NBA/ be a one-and-done player,” he said. “I could be someone who plays on the team as a freshman and possibly win a championship.”
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