Mark Pope isn’t wasting time. The portal waits for no one — and the Kentucky head coach is officially back in the mix for former five-star guard Ian Jackson.
Jackson, once the No. 8 overall prospect and No. 4 shooting guard in the 2024 class, originally chose North Carolina over Kentucky. But after a freshman season where he struggled to find consistent minutes, the Bronx native is ready for a fresh start — and Pope is ready to pounce.
What went wrong at UNC?
Statistically, Jackson had a solid season:
📊 36 GP, 11.9 PPG, 45.6 FG%, 39.5 3P% in 23.8 minutes per game
But in reality, his role diminished significantly down the stretch. He played just 27 total minutes in UNC’s two NCAA Tournament games and never topped 17 minutes in any game after the second round of the ACC Tournament.
For a player of Jackson’s pedigree and potential, it’s no surprise he’s in the portal. He needs a system that can unleash his natural scoring ability and give him room to grow.
Why Kentucky makes sense, especially now
Less than 24 hours ago, Kentucky lost its top incoming point guard Acaden Lewis, leaving a hole in the backcourt and some breathing room in the rotation. (we see Jasper Johnson more as a 2 than a traditional point).
While Lewis was more of a facilitator, Jackson is a pure bucket-getter — a three-level scorer who thrives in transition, can create his own shot, and has legitimate NBA upside. For Pope, who’s crafting a roster full of guys who can do it all, Jackson would be a huge late addition.
Pitino and St. John’s loom large
According to Travis Branham, St. John’s is currently the favorite to land Jackson. The Rick Pitino connection is strong — and the chance to return home to New York and be the face of the Red Storm is certainly appealing. The student and the teacher meet again, as Pitino and Pope battle it out in the recruiting world.
Arkansas under John Calipari is also a potential landing spot, with Cal recruiting Jackson heavily out of high school.
What to watch
If Pope pushes hard, the door is open. Jackson’s game fits Kentucky’s new guard-driven identity.
If Pitino stays aggressive, Jackson might be headed back to the Big Apple.
Don’t count out Kentucky in April.
Stay tuned as the Wildcats continue to navigate the ever-wild waters of the transfer portal