The North Carolina Tar Heels faced Syracuse on Saturday, and fans were eager to see if center Henri Veesaar would make his return to the court. After being sidelined with a lower-body injury since February 10 against Miami, Veesaar's status was a game-time decision as the 1 p.m. ET tip-off at the JMA Wireless Dome loomed.
In a positive turn for UNC, Veesaar was cleared to play and even started the game, with the official announcement coming just 20 minutes before the tip. Observers noted his participation in full warmups, including a spirited dunk that signaled his readiness to compete.
Veesaar's return is a significant boost for the Tar Heels, especially with the absence of Caleb Wilson. While it's uncertain how many minutes Veesaar will log given his recent injury, his presence on the court is undoubtedly a morale lift for the team. His return to individual workouts on Thursday marked the beginning of his ramp-up to game readiness, and his inclusion in the lineup against Syracuse could be a pivotal moment for UNC as they navigate the rest of the season.