Justin Jackson, top class of 2014 prospect, commits to UNC

CHAPEL HILL — Back from being on the road most of the day, reporting a story that will come out in the coming days, so I’m just now getting to the news of the day. Which is: North Carolina earlier today picked up another commitment from a top prospect in the class of 2014.

Not too long ago, it was Joel Berry (and not "Marcus" Berry, as I'd typed earlier -- long day, folks), the point guard from Orlando, Fla. And this time, it’s Justin Jackson, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Spring, Texas. ESPN.com ranks Jackson as the 14th best prospect in the junior class, and third-best prospect at his position.

Jackson announced his decision on Twitter:

I have decided to attend the University of North Carolina!! #ToGodBeTheGlory

— Justin Jackson (@JJacks2014) March 4, 2013

Barring any attrition other than James Michael McAdoo leaving early for the NBA (which you probably have to think will happen either after this year or next), Jackson and Berry will be freshmen when Marcus Paige, Joel James, Brice Johnson and J.P. Tokoto are juniors, and when P.J. Hairston, Desmond Hubert and Jackson Simmons are seniors. Nate Britt, Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks, all of whom will be incoming freshmen next season, would be sophomores.

By then, if everyone stays (aside from McAdoo), UNC’s depth chart could look something like this:
PG: Paige, Berry, Britt
SG/SF: Hairston, Jackson
SG/SF: Hicks, Tokoto
PF: Johnson, James, Simmons
C: Meeks, Hubert

Of course, predicting how a college basketball roster might look two seasons down the road isn’t all that fruitful of a venture these days. Regardless, UNC is off to a strong start with its junior class recruiting. The Tar Heels are the only team in the country with two commitments from top-15 players, according to ESPN.