On Friday evening, Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports reported that four-star guard Derek Dixon from Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) will announce his college decision at 3 p.m. ET next Friday, coinciding with his 18th birthday. In late July, North Carolina basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff secured a spot among Dixon’s top six schools, which also include Vanderbilt, Arizona, Syracuse, Virginia, and Pitt.
“I’ve built a strong relationship with Coach Davis and Coach [Jeff] Lebo,” said the 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard, who ranks No. 47 overall in the 247Sports 2025 Composite. “They’ve emphasized the need for a replacement for RJ Davis and potentially Elliot Cadeau if he turns pro.”
Finkelstein noted that as Dixon’s recruitment enters its final week, the Tar Heels have made it to his final four, along with Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Pitt.
Interestingly, Pitt’s head coach Jeff Capel, a former Duke guard and longtime assistant for UNC’s rival, is now viewed as a significant contender in the Dixon recruitment.
Currently, there are no Crystal Ball predictions from 247Sports for Dixon, nor are there any from the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. However, as of last week, the Rivals FutureCast includes one expert forecast favoring Capel and his team to secure Dixon’s commitment.
“I’ve developed a strong connection with them,” Dixon shared with London about the Pitt coaching staff. “They were my first visit and high-major offer. They’ve been recruiting me for a while and have suggested that I could play a major role like their two freshmen did last season.”
Dixon, who has excelled for Team Takeover in Nike EYBL events throughout the spring and summer, visited UNC for an official tour two weeks ago. The Tar Heels are eager to land their first 2025 recruit and were the last school to host him.
