When one-year UNC basketball player Ian Jackson entered the transfer portal on April 7, there was an immediate favorite. Most insiders expected the 6-foot-4, 190-pound freshman from The Bronx, N.Y., to move closer to home and join St. John’s — the same program that had been a serious contender during his high school recruitment.
That prediction came true this week, as Jackson committed to Rick Pitino and the Red Storm. Although the former five-star prospect and McDonald’s All American explored a few other schools, he ultimately chose St. John’s as his next stop.
Jackson still has three years of eligibility left. However, given his consistent presence on mock draft boards during his time at Chapel Hill, it wouldn’t be shocking if the 20-year-old scoring threat spends just one season at St. John’s before declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft.
In 36 games for UNC last season, Jackson averaged 11.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per contest, earning a starting role in a third of those appearances under head coach Hubert Davis.
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