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Crystal Ball favors UNC basketball as DeMarcus Henry sets commitment time

The five-star prospect will announce his commitment Friday afternoon, and the latest prediction is that the Tar Heels are gaining momentum at the perfect time.
ByNick Delahanty
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Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Arizona Compass Prep forward DeMarcus Henry (15) against Spire Institute (OH) during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Arizona Compass Prep forward DeMarcus Henry (15) against Spire Institute (OH) during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The clock is officially ticking on DeMarcus Henry's recruitment, and the latest development could be a very encouraging sign for Michael Malone and the Tar Heels.

Henry is set to announce his college commitment on Friday at 3 p.m. ET during ESPN's NBA Today, as the five-star prospect prepares to choose between North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisville.

Just hours before his highly anticipated decision, momentum appears to favor the Tar Heels.

David Sisk of Tar Heel 247 has logged a Crystal Ball prediction that UNC will land Henry, giving Tar Heel fans another reason to feel optimistic heading into Friday afternoon.

The signs continue to point in UNC's direction

Of course, recruiting predictions aren't guarantees.

Until Henry makes his announcement, the Tar Heels will have to fend off three programs that have made the five-star wing a priority throughout his recruitment.

However, it's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the momentum surrounding the Tar Heels.

UNC hosted Henry's final official visit last weekend, giving Michael Malone and his staff one last chance to host him before he made his decision. The visit seemed to go about as well as the Tar Heels could have hoped, even featuring a call from Michael Jordan himself.

Now, we all await 3:00 PM EST on Friday

UNC has done just about everything it can do in this particular recruitment.

Malone and his staff have made Henry one of their top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class, and the Tar Heels made the final in-person impression before he committed.

Now comes the waiting game.

Henry is a premier prospect in the 2027 class and one of the biggest recruiting battles Malone has faced since taking over at North Carolina. Landing him would be a massive early recruiting win for the Tar Heels' new head coach, giving UNC a cornerstone piece to build its 2027 class around.

There's also something rather fitting about where Henry will make his decision.

One of Malone's greatest selling points since arriving in Chapel Hill has been his extensive NBA background and his ability to show elite prospects what it takes to reach the next level.

Now, one of his most coveted recruits will reveal his college choice live on an NBA show.

At 3 p.m. EST on Friday, we'll finally find out whether all that recent momentum ends with Henry becoming a Tar Heel.

The hope is that the Tar Heels will be the last team standing when Henry's decision is officially announced.

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