Friday, Jan. 04, 2008

UNC basketball gains 6-10 commit

North Carolina has added to its stable of incoming frontcourt basketball talent with the commitment of 6-foot-10 junior John Henson of Round Rock High in Texas.

Henson's father, Matt Henson, confirmed the commitment Thursday afternoon.

All-Star Sports recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons said Henson is a top-30 prospect in his class who hadn't been on the recruiting radar until recently. Max Ivany, Henson's AAU coach with the Texas Ambassadors, said college coaches' interest in Henson has accelerated as he grew 5 1/2 inches the last 18 months.

Scout.com rates Henson as the nation's 24th-best prospect. Henson adds to a North Carolina frontcourt recruiting cache that also includes current high school senior signees Tyler Zeller of Washington, Ind., and Ed Davis of Richmond, Va.

``North Carolina got a terrific junior prospect, and with the year Tyler Zeller is having it bodes well that they're filling in these spots for the future,'' Gibbons said.

Though Henson plays in the post for his high school team, Ivany said he is a good 3-point shooter and could play small forward in college. Henson plays in the post for his high school team, but Ivany said he is a good 3-point shooter and could play small forward in college.

Though Henson has lived in Tennessee, New Jersey and Texas, he was born in Greensboro.

``John has always had a liking for North Carolina,'' said his father, Matt Henson. ``When he was 8 years old, he told me, 'Dad, one day I'm going to play for North Carolina.''