Ian Jackson Breaks Silence on UNC Exit, Confirms Transfer to St. John’s: “It Just Wasn’t for Me”
The winds of change continue to sweep through Chapel Hill.
North Carolina’s roster is set to look drastically different for the 2025–26 season, and among the most notable departures is former five-star recruit Ian Jackson. After just one season with the Tar Heels, Jackson is heading north to join Rick Pitino’s St. John’s program a move that had been quietly brewing behind the scenes but is now official.
What once felt like a surprise now has clarity, thanks to Jackson himself.
Appearing on a new episode of his podcast, The Captain Jack Show, Jackson candidly explained his decision to leave UNC after one season.
“I feel like at Carolina, it just wasn’t for me. It was some things I couldn’t show or do on the floor that I feel like I could’ve done.”
The comments may sound familiar to UNC fans. Just weeks earlier, fellow five-star Drake Powell made similar remarks during his NBA Draft interviews, hinting at a system that may limit creativity and freedom for some high-level recruits. And now, with Jackson echoing those sentiments, questions are beginning to swirl around Hubert Davis’ offensive scheme and whether it gives young stars enough room to shine.
Jackson did make it clear that there’s no bad blood. He praised the program and the people within it, but acknowledged the misalignment between his game and the opportunities he had in Chapel Hill.
On the court, Jackson flashed signs of brilliance in his lone season with the Tar Heels, averaging 11.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He caught fire midway through the season, scoring 20+ points in six of seven games during a stretch that briefly silenced any doubts about his role. But as the season wore on and UNC bowed out in the NCAA Tournament with a disappointing loss to Ole Miss, the writing was on the wall.
Now, Jackson gets a fresh start and a fresh platform with St. John’s. Under the watchful eye of Rick Pitino, he’ll have every opportunity to rediscover the freedom he felt he lacked at UNC. For a player with Jackson’s explosiveness and scoring ability, this change of scenery might be exactly what he needs to hit his stride.
As for North Carolina, this offseason continues to bring more questions than answers. With key losses due to graduation, the NBA Draft, and the portal, Davis and his staff are in the midst of a major roster reset and now face growing scrutiny over whether their system is truly built to maximize elite-level talent.
One thing is certain: Ian Jackson’s story is just getting started. And in Queens, he’s betting big that his next chapter will be the one that finally lets him shine.
All eyes now turn to St. John’s.
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