North Carolina’s push for five-star small forward Demarcus Henry just got a lot more complicated.
For weeks, the Tar Heels have been building toward the 2027 class with Michael Malone and have made Henry a clear priority. The buzz around Chapel Hill has been that UNC could be in a strong position to land him later this year, but the race was already crowded with programs like Ohio State trying to get in the way. Now Duke has jumped in too.
On Friday night, Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils extended a scholarship offer to Henry, adding another heavyweight to a recruitment that already had plenty of pull. Henry had recently trimmed his list to eight schools, but Duke’s arrival figures to force another reset as the process moves forward.
Blessed!!
After a great conversation with Coach Jon Scheyer, I’m thankful to receive an offer from Duke University. #gobluedevils pic.twitter.com/dDSf9GiXH6
- DeMarcus Henry (@demarcushenry15) August 15, 2026
Back on July 7, the 6-7, 190-pound wing named North Carolina, Ohio State, BYU, Arkansas, Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville and UConn among his finalists. That group may not stay intact for long if Scheyer keeps pushing and gets Henry to Durham for a visit.
That’s where UNC has to move fast. An official visit to Chapel Hill was already going to matter, but Duke’s entry makes it even more urgent for Malone and the staff to lock in their pitch and give Henry a visit that stands out.
Ohio State remains a major factor as well. Henry’s older brother Chris is a freshman on the Buckeyes football team, and his sister Seini plays women’s basketball at Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes a family connection that could carry real weight in the end.
Henry sits atop the 247Sports Composite rankings as the No. 1 small forward in the country and the No. 3 player overall. Every blueblood wants him, and UNC has clearly made him a major focus since Malone took over for Hubert Davis. Duke’s offer only raises the stakes from here.
In Other News...
North Carolinas New Backcourt Is Already Fueling An ACC Debate
North Carolinas backcourt makeover has become one of the sharper talking points around the ACC as teams size up the leagues guard play for the coming season. Under Michael Malone, the Tar Heels have rebuilt quickly, and the new look has drawn attention not just because of who arrived, but because of how the roster now stacks up against the conferences other headline groups. Duke has continuity and fresh talent, Louisville leaned into transfer additions, and Virginias mix of returners and newcomers gives the league a little of everything.
For Carolina, the intrigue is less about whether the talent is there and more about how soon it can all settle into place. Early evaluations already have the Tar Heels in the mix near the top of the ACC backcourt conversation, which is a significant shift for a program that needed a reset in that area. The ranking debate will follow them until the games start, and it will say plenty about how quickly this revamped group can turn projection into production. [Read more 🡒]
Shaq McRoy Could Decide How Fast UNCs New Offense Clicks
North Carolina spent the offseason reshaping its offensive line, and the arrival of tackle Shaq McRoy is part of that push. The Tar Heels have been looking to add depth and sturdiness up front as they get ready to install Bobby Petrinos new offensive scheme, a change that puts a premium on quicker communication and cleaner protection from the first snap of camp.
Bill Belichick has already pointed to McRoy as one of the more intriguing additions, noting the tackles natural ability even with limited experience. That kind of upside matters even more with the Week 1 quarterback decision still unresolved, because the lines ability to settle in could help determine how smoothly the whole offense comes together once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]