UNC basketball offers 2027 five-star forward with big-time pedigree

The summer recruiting news cycle for college basketball is in full swing, as coaching staffs around the country will be traveling to watch some of the latest prospects duke it out on the many circuits taking place.

North Carolina head coach Michael Malone and assistant Sean May were in Memphis watching some of those prospects, and one of the players who caught their eye was 2027 five-star forward DeMarcus Henry of Compass Prep in Santa Ana, Ca.

The 6-7 forward took to social media to announce that he received an offer from Malone and the Tar Heels on Sunday.

Blessed!!

After a great conversation with Coach Michael Malone, I’m thankful to receive an offer from the University of North Carolina. #gotarheelspic.twitter.com/Kqr0mJDE1p

— DeMarcus Henry (@demarcushenry15) May 17, 2026

Rivals currently lists Henry as a four-star prospect, while both 247Sports and ESPN rate him as a five-star. Even so, recruiting services largely agree that he is a top 15 player in his class. 

He already owns a lengthy offer sheet that includes Ohio State, USC, Arizona State, LSU,Texas A&M, Louisville, Oklahoma State and Oregon, among others. He also recently added an offer from Mark Pope and Kentucky, another sign that college basketball’s blue bloods are ramping up their pursuit.

Although he is better known for his skills on the basketball court, Henry comes from a family recognized for its success on the football field. His father, the late Chris Henry, played five seasons in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, while his older brother, Chris Henry Jr., is committed to play football this fall for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

While Malone is still learning all the ins and outs of circuits like the EYBL and the Adidas 3SSB, May and Pat Sullivan are familiar with them, as they made the rounds when Hubert Davis was still the coach.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Tar Heels offer 2027 five-star DeMarcus Henry