Henry Chooses Tar Heels Over Hogs

Demarcus Henry, the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2027 class, pledged his commitment to North Carolina on Friday, Oct. 30. The 6-foot-7 forward chose the Tar Heels after a final official visit to Chapel Hill, where he reportedly received a phone call from Michael Jordan. Henry is the highest-ranked recruit for North Carolina since 2019 and the second-highest-ranked commitment in the program's history according to ESPN records.

Arkansas appeared to be the favorite for Henry during most of the fall season. The Razorbacks will now focus their attention on other top targets, including No. 1 overall prospect Beckham Black, No. 3 C.J. Rosser, and No. 4 Cayden Daughtry. North Carolina will also pursue Rosser and Black while integrating Henry with incoming forwards Jarin Stevenson or Maximo Adams.

Henry's commitment follows a busy week for major college programs. On Oct. 28, Lewis Uvwo, the No. 6 center, committed to Providence. Uvwo, who was born in Nigeria and did not play basketball until age 15, is the first five-star recruit for the Friars since the ESPN database began in 2007. He blocked more than five shots per game on the Nike EYBL circuit and won the 17U EYBL Defensive Player of the Year award.

Also on Oct. 28, Asa Montgomery, the No. 7 small forward, committed to Duke. The 6-foot-8 wing had visited five programs in October before settling on the Blue Devils. Duke will pair Montgomery with top-three draft pick Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje and shooter Kager Knueppel. Earlier in the cycle, NaVorro Bowman Jr. committed to UConn on Sept. 10 after a single visit to Storrs.

UConn continues to build a deep roster. Jordan Page, the No. 11 prospect, joined the Huskies on Oct. 4, giving the team its first pair of five-star recruits in the same class in at least 20 years. Indiana secured its own piece of the puzzle on Oct. 6 when center Wabbington committed. Wabbington is the highest-ranked recruit in Darian DeVries' career and the highest-ranked center in the ESPN database's history.

LSU closed its early recruiting drive with the commitment of point guard Reese Alston on Oct. 29. Alston, the No. 13 overall prospect and son of former NBA player Rafer Alston, chose LSU over Louisville. He will join King Gibson, the No. 14 shooting guard who committed on Oct. 4, to form a high-scoring backcourt. The 2027 class currently features 19 five-star players in the SC Next 100 rankings.

The remaining commitments for these programs will be announced over the next six months. Evaluators will continue to rank players as high school seniors showcase their skills on national circuits. Each new pledge will reshape the landscape for the competing schools still chasing the top available talent.