There are recruiting pitches, and then there's having Michael Jordan pick up the phone.
Michael Malone apparently held nothing back during DeMarcus Henry's official visit to Chapel Hill.
As the Tar Heels made their final pitch to the five-star Class of 2027 forward over the weekend, Malone called upon arguably the greatest recruiting weapon the UNC basketball program has at its disposal: the "G.O.A.T." himself:
Michael Jordan.
Henry revealed, after his visit, that Malone had the UNC legend and basketball icon call him while he was in Chapel Hill, adding yet another fascinating wrinkle to a recruitment that is now just days away from reaching its conclusion.
Malone had MJ give Demarcus Henry a phone call🫣🩵🐏 pic.twitter.com/oh401Wwnwy
— HubertsBurner (@UNCballTalk) October 26, 2026
If Malone wanted to remind Henry what makes North Carolina different from virtually every other college basketball program, having arguably the greatest player ever to touch a basketball on the other end of the phone certainly is not a bad way to do it.
Michael Malone wasn't messing around with his final pitch to DeMarcus Henry
The Tar Heels weren't simply hosting Henry for another stop along his recruitment tour, it was the last stop before his final decision comes at the end of this week.
That meant that Malone and his staff had the final opportunity to make their case to secure a commitment, and they made sure to put all their chips on the table to prove they are all-in.
Michael Jordan, and his brand, represent something no other program recruiting Henry can come close to replicating.
UNC can brag about its six national championships and a slew of former Tar Heels who have gone on to have great NBA careers. They can sell you on the chance to call the Smith Center home while playing on the biggest stage in college basketball.
But then there's Michael Jordan.
There's only one school that can make him part of its recruiting pitch, and Malone found a way to do that.
For Henry, that pitch could carry even more weight, considering what he has repeatedly said matters most in his recruitment.
The five-star forward has made it clear that his ultimate goal is reaching the NBA. He's spoken about the importance of development, finding a coaching staff that pushes him, and choosing a culture that helps him become the best player he can be.
That's already an area where Malone has a rather compelling argument.
He spent more than a decade as an NBA head coach before taking over at North Carolina and has sold recruits on bringing an NBA-style approach to Chapel Hill. Henry has specifically spoken positively about Malone's professional experience and the style of basketball he wants UNC to play.
Then Malone went and put Michael Jordan on the phone: talk about an insane assist!
If nothing else, Michael Malone certainly made sure the Tar Heels' final pitch was one Henry won't soon forget. Being told by Jordan that he's a fan of your game and wants to see you play for his alma mater is quite the compliment coming from the greatest basketball player ever, and is one that should resonate with Henry, especially given his in-state ties.
This move proves how invested UNC is in DeMarcus Henry, hoping that a special phone call from Michael Jordan himself will help him realize that Chapel Hill is the right place for him.
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