North Carolina secured a massive commitment on Friday, landing Demarcus Henry, the No. 2 recruit in the class of 2027, according to ESPN. Henry, a 6-foot-7 small forward from AZ Compass Prep in Arizona, chose the Tar Heels over Arkansas, Louisville, and Kentucky. Henry, the younger brother of Ohio State wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. and son of former NFL wideout Chris Henry, is the highest-ranked recruit for North Carolina since Cole Anthony in 2019.
He announced his decision days before first-year head coach Michael Malone's official tenure begins. Henry cited the program's vision and his connection to the state, noting he lived in Charlotte until middle school. During his official visit, Henry had a memorable phone conversation with Michael Jordan, who expressed hope to see him in a North Carolina uniform.
On the Nike EYBL circuit last spring and summer, Henry ranked seventh in scoring at 19.3 PPG and third in rebounding at 9.2 RPG, shooting nearly 52% from the field. He also totaled more than three combined steals and blocks per game, helping Team USA win a silver medal at the 2026 FIBA U18 Men's Ameri Cup. Henry is described as a long, multidimensional playmaking wing with ideal positional size and a huge wingspan.
Comparisons have been drawn to Kawhi Leonard for his versatility. He can score inside, rebound, and hit three-pointers, though consistency from beyond the arc remains a work in progress. Henry's work ethic and intensity set him apart, and he joins a Tar Heels program looking to build under new leadership.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing