Typically, the person celebrating their birthday gets the gifts. On this special occasion, it's Michael Malone and the Tar Heels that get a massive present.
DeMarcus Henry... YOU are a Tar Heel!
Five-star prospect DeMarcus Henry announced his commitment to UNC on Friday during an appearance on NBA Today on ESPN, choosing the Tar Heels over his final four, which included Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisville. Rivals ranks the five-star prospect as the No. 3 overall prospect in the Class of 2027.
Landing Henry is a massive win for Michael Malone and the Tar Heels, starting Malone's first official recruiting class at UNC with a bang.
DeMarcus Henry is coming home to North Carolina
Henry had no shortage of options. Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisville all offered legitimate options, and programs across the country recognized the talent he brings to the floor.
However, it was UNC, the lone finalist that resides in his home state, who came out on top.
Henry has been familiar with the Tar Heels since childhood, and now he'll have the opportunity to put on the Carolina blue himself. Even though he's finishing up his high school career in Arizona, that didn't stop Henry from wanting to bring his talents back home.
When Malone was named the head coach of the UNC basketball program, Henry was one of a short list of prospects who he focused heavily on while venturing out on the recruiting trail. In fact, many believed early on that UNC was well above the rest in this recruiting battle, but, as we all know, recruitments can always take a crazy turn.
In fact, at some points it felt like UNC wasn't even involved, until they were again.
North Carolina hosted Henry for what would be his final official visit before his commitment date, a visit that seems to help the Tar Heels regain massive ground. Of course, a phone call from the "G.O.A.T." certainly helps, but Malone and his staff proved that Chapel Hill was the right place for him.
In an effort to seal the deal, Malone, along with assistant coaches Chuck Martin and Sean May, flew to Arizona after Tuesday night's preseason finale against Charlotte to visit Henry one last time before his final decision.
If anything, UNC showed Henry just how much they wanted him to become a Tar Heel.
With a desire to play in the NBA in the near future, Malone's presence in Chapel Hill becomes such an important piece of the puzzle.
With extensive NBA experience and a proven understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level, Malone can offer Henry something beyond the usual recruiting pitch. He can sell a developmental plan designed around getting Henry closer to where he ultimately wants to go.
That combination proved difficult to turn down.
Michael Malone just scored a major recruiting victory
Every recruiting cycle has a few battles that carry a little extra weight.
This was one of them.
Landing Henry doesn't just add another highly regarded prospect to UNC's future roster. It also shows the kind of recruiting battles Malone and his staff can win.
Malone has said it on multiple occasions that UNC would be heavy contenders for the best players available both on the high school recruiting trail and through the transfer portal. So far, the new head coach of the Tar Heels is sticking to his word.
UNC got the last official visit, one that made all the difference in this particular recruitment. Now, Malone and his staff have a five-star talent who is set to join the program next summer, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
Henry is an elite start to building the 2027 recruiting class for the UNC basketball program. Who will join this five-star talent in Chapel Hill next summer?
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