Both UNC basketball freshmen on ESPN Top 50 Newcomers

Oct 12, 2024; Cherokee, NC, USA; Mandatory Credit: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) with the ball as forward James Brown (2) defends in the second half at the Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With the men’s college basketball season on the cusp of starting, major, reputable sites are putting out an increased amount of lists and rankings. This specific list culminates the top 50 players in men’s college basketball that are either transfer to new teams or incoming freshmen.

ESPN staff writer Jeff Borzello puts two North Carolina freshmen on the list, Ian Jackson and Drake Powell.

Powell ranks No. 19 on the list led by Duke’s Cooper Flagg.

Powell has generated positive reviews early in Chapel Hill, with scouts impressed by his ability on the defensive end. He can guard multiple positions and has good instincts at that end of the floor. Powell is a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

Borzello also had high praise for the higher star talent in Ian Jackson who he has at No. 50 on this ranking.

UNC’s perimeter group is crowded, so it will be interesting to see Jackson’s role in the first few weeks, but he’s generated positive reviews so far. Aggressive with the ball in his hands, Jackson can get baskets in a hurry.

With the makeup of the Tar Heels roster, it is easy to see how Powell can have a more immediate impact with the frontcourt being weaker. However, both are NBA prospects and both will be very versatile under Hubert Davis this season.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Both UNC basketball freshmen on ESPN Top 50 Newcomers

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/both-unc-basketball-freshmen-espn-160721396.html

Author : Tar Heels Wire

Publish date : 2024-10-31 16:07:00

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