Derek Dixon, the No. 51 overall prospect in the class of 2025, has committed to North Carolina.
A 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard from Washington, D.C., Dixon is UNC’s first commit in the 2025 class. He picked the Tar Heels over Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, and Virginia.
“The fit was there and I had a great relationship with the coaching staff,” Dixon told 247Sports. “They’re people I can trust and believe in. I also think they give me a great platform. I’m going to be playing against the best of the best night in and night out.”
UNC assistant coach Jeff Lebo alongside Tar Heel head coach Hubert Davis pursued Dixon since the spring. Although North Carolina was late getting into recruitment, Lebo and Davis were able to quickly make up ground.
“Coach Lebo was my lead recruiter and he contacted me a lot throughout my process,” Dixon said. “Since they came in a little bit later they wanted to make sure that I saw the vision in what they saw for me. Coach Davis also reached out a lot and called me a lot compared to some of the other schools.
“They told me how they think I’m a Carolina guy and I embody what it means to be a Tar Heel. They explained how there was a want and a need for what I can bring to the table.”
RELATED: Scouting Derek Dixon and his fit at North Carolina
Assistant coach Marcus Paige, who played point guard for UNC from 2012-16, also played a role in landing Dixon.
Dixon built a level of trust with Paige throughout his process.
“North Carolina has great players and great guards. They just brought Marcus Paige back on the staff, which was really big for me,” Dixon said. “He’s a guy who’s been there recently and gave a lot of great advice to me. (Paige) along with the rest of the staff think I can be the next great Carolina guard.”
Dixon said he will be all about winning and continuing the high level of success and tradition at North Carolina. “I want to win and that’s what Carolina is all about,” he said. “I want to win and get better every day and see where it goes from there.”
247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein on Dixon: “He’s the type of player who impacts a program for multiple years and wins a whole lot of games in the process. He’s skilled, smart, and has a consistent history of winning wherever he’s been.”
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