UNC junior wing Justin Jackson was named a First Team All-American on Friday by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
The 2017 ACC Player of the Year also clinched consensus First Team All-American honors since he was already selected to the Sporting News’ First Team–another of the four organizations used by the NCAA to determine consensus All-Americans.
Jackson was previously named a Second Team All-American by the United States Basketball Writers Association, while the Associated Press will release its team next week.
He is the third Tar Heel to earn consensus First Team honors under head coach Roy Williams–joining three-time honoree Tyler Hansbrough (2007, 2008, 2009) and Brice Johnson (2016)–and is the 18th UNC player overall to win the distinction.
Joining Jackson on both the NBCA and consensus First Team is a list of players that includes: UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball, Villanova forward Josh Hart, Kansas guard Frank Mason III and Purdue big man Caleb Swanigan.
This honor also means Jackson’s No. 44 will officially be honored in the Dean Dome rafters upon the conclusion of his career in Chapel Hill.
His individual legacy will be remembered thanks to the incredible season he’s had, but there’s still work to be done in the NCAA Tournament for he and the team to reach their ultimate goal of a national championship.
The top-seeded Tar Heels face a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 4 seed Butler on Friday night, as they look to avenge last year’s loss in the championship game and provide Jackson with the most important award he could ever receive in college.
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