The history of North Carolina basketball is filled with defining moments, legendary players, and crucial decisions that shaped the program’s legacy. One of those decisions came from John Henson, the 6-foot-9 forward who became one of the Tar Heels’ most dominant defenders of the modern era. But according to Henson himself, things nearly turned out very differently.
On his new TarHeel247 basketball podcast, Henson revealed that he originally had his eyes set on the Texas Longhorns. Growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, before moving to Texas for high school, Henson was strongly drawn to the idea of staying in the Lone Star State for college basketball. “For me, I wanted to go to Texas,” Henson admitted. “I was a Texas kid. My dad was like, ‘You’re trippin’, it’s North Carolina. You’ve got to at least give them a look.’”
That advice from his father turned out to be career-altering. Henson explained that his official visit to Chapel Hill changed his entire perspective. “When I went to campus, like HB [Harrison Barnes] said, it was the family environment,” Henson recalled. “It was just a different feel than all the other visits I went to. When I went to UCLA and Texas, I felt a little animosity. It was weird energy. I wasn’t feeling it. Carolina was a school that kind of showed love for me.”
That “different feel” ended up being the deciding factor, and Tar Heel fans would forever be grateful. As a freshman, Henson began the season as North Carolina’s starting small forward. However, when Ed Davis went down with a season-ending injury, Henson shifted into the power forward role, where his elite length, shot-blocking instincts, and rebounding presence began to shine through.
By his sophomore year, Henson had fully blossomed into one of the ACC’s most feared defenders. He averaged double-digit points, pulled down rebounds in bunches, and swatted away shots with ease. His dominance earned him the first of back-to-back ACC Defensive Player of the Year awards, cementing his reputation as the defensive anchor of Roy Williams’ squad.
Henson’s impact went far beyond individual accolades. Alongside Harrison Barnes, Kendall Marshall, and Tyler Zeller, Henson helped lead North Carolina to consecutive deep NCAA Tournament runs. The Tar Heels made it to the Elite Eight in both 2011 and 2012, only falling short of the Final Four due to untimely injuries and some tough matchups. Still, without Henson’s presence in the paint, those runs may never have been possible.
It’s almost impossible to imagine those Tar Heel teams without Henson. His defensive presence often shifted games, turning opponents’ offensive strategies upside down. His ability to guard multiple positions while protecting the rim gave Roy Williams the versatility to match up with anyone in the country. Without him, North Carolina’s defense likely wouldn’t have been as formidable, and their March success may have looked very different.
After three memorable seasons in Chapel Hill, Henson declared for the NBA Draft, where he was selected 14th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2012. He went on to enjoy an eight-year NBA career, spending most of his time with the Bucks, where his defensive skills continued to shine. While his professional career had ups and downs, his time at North Carolina left an indelible mark.
Looking back now, Tar Heel fans can only imagine how history might have unfolded if Henson had chosen Texas over North Carolina. Would Roy Williams have been able to make those deep tournament runs without him? Would the Tar Heels have maintained their national prominence during that stretch? The questions are fascinating — but for UNC fans, the reality is far more satisfying.
In the end, Henson’s story is a reminder of how one decision can shape the legacy of a player and a program. The combination of his father’s advice, the welcoming culture of Chapel Hill, and Henson’s own instincts brought him to North Carolina — and the Tar Heels were never the same. For UNC faithful, John Henson wasn’t just a player; he was a game-changer, one whose path could have led elsewhere but instead carved out a special chapter in Carolina basketball history.
