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UNC Basketball Makes Crafty Statement on 2025 Recruiting Trail

The UNC basketball recruiters struck pay dirt for a surging senior sharpshooter.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

The 2025 UNC basketball recruiting haul no longer sits empty, as Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) senior guard Derek Dixon announced his commitment to Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels on Friday afternoon.

ALSO READ: No. 1 Recruit Appreciates Family-Oriented UNC Vibes

Dixon, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound crafty facilitator and heralded 3-point marksman, chose UNC over fellow finalists Pitt, Virginia, and Vanderbilt. He did so just a few weeks after traveling to Chapel Hill for an official visit with the Tar Heels, the last trip in the top-tier four-star's recruitment.

"I want to win," Dixon told 247Sports' Dushawn London, "and that's what Carolina is all about."

He ranks No. 47 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, marking a 41-spot jump from where he debuted in June 2023 and 14 spots higher than when this past summer began. Dixon, also known as a dogged defender on the perimeter, checks in at No. 6 among 2025 combo guards and No. 3 in Washington, D.C.

"This is the type of player who impacts a program for multiple years and wins a ton of games," 247Sports director of basketball scouting Adam Finkelstein noted following Dixon's big moment.

UNC basketball, fresh off hosting the top-ranked 2025 prospect in Utah Prep forward AJ Dybantsa, now have a spark in the cycle thanks to Derek Dixon's pledge. And there are several top-shelf talents still considering the Tar Heels.

ALSO READ: Gifted 2026 Lefty Wing Reports Offer From Tar Heels

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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