Every kid who's ever picked up a basketball is dreamed of running out of that tunnel in Carolina

Blue. A lot of people let that dream fade. A rare few chase it and an even smaller number

actually live it. Today on Inside Carolina, we're talking to someone who did all three. Jackson

Watkins didn't take the easy path to Carolina basketball. He took the long one, the one that was filled with doubt and sweat and every reason to quit. But instead, he turned that journey into something bigger, a story worth telling and now a book worth reading. His new release, Dream On, isn't just about basketball. It's about belief, grit, and gratitude, and the power of saying yes, when life keeps giving

you a dozen reasons to say no.

I'm Joey Powell.

This is Inside Carolina, and today we're diving into what it really takes to chase a dream

all the way to the Smith Center floor.

Music all the way to the Smith Center floor. What is up y'all?

Joey Powell here for Inside Carolina.

You're probably used to hearing us do coast-to-coast shows.

We've got a really, really special thing to do today.

As we record this, it is Black Friday.

Hope you all had a phenomenal Thanksgiving that your trip to fan comas have worn off.

And if you're vegging out watching some football or whatever as we record this I'm gonna tell you

I've got a great idea for your Christmas presence for that Tar Heel fan in your

life first off we're brought you by Johnny T-shirt so that's one option but I'm

ready to give you a second one because we're gonna talk with with Jackson Watkins. You know him. You love him. You recognize him from being a

member of the Tar Heel basketball team. Jackson finished school in 2022-23 season. Jackson,

how the hell are you, man? I'm doing great. Thanks, Joey. Great to be on the show. And that was a hell of an

intro. Really appreciate you having me. Yeah, I think this is going to be fun today. I met what I said

in the intro. Like, you've lived what a lot of Carolina fans dream about. You know, anybody that's

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