Former UNC hoops walk-on Jackson Watkins shares his incredible story about fulfilling his dreams

Posted Jan 5, 2026
Jackson Watkins is the perfect example of someone who never gave up on his dreams, even if they seemed impossible to accomplish. With a desire to play for the UNC basketball program, Watkins worked tremendously hard to rise through the system, starting as a JV player at North Carolina before earning his spot on the varsity team. (Keeping It Heel)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Video: Carolina Insider - Interview With Kenny Williams
Former North Carolina guard and 2017 national champion Kenny Williams joins Jones Angell and Adam Lucas on the Carolina Insider podcast to discuss this season's...
Wed Jan 7, 2026

Hubert Davis explains why UNC is switching more on defense this season
There’s one big difference between the defensive philosophies of Roy Williams and Hubert Davis. Williams preferred that defenders fight through screens and stick with their...
Wed Jan 7, 2026

Open Week Offers UNC Basketball Time to Focus on Defensive Issues
With no midweek game on the schedule ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Wake Forest, North Carolina plans to treat the coming days as an open...
Tue Jan 6, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: The Smith Center's Foundations
Forty years minus eight days comes at the right time. The Tar Heels have won 499 games at the Smith Center since it opened Jan...
Tue Jan 6, 2026