North Carolina forwards John Henson and Tyler Zeller will return to college and play basketball for the Tar Heels in 2011-12.
Henson, a sophomore from Tampa, Fla., and Zeller, a junior from Washington, Ind., were each second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selections in 2011.
Freshman forward Harrison Barnes is still reviewing information about the possibility of declaring for the NBA Draft.
“I want to come back to school next year because I enjoy all aspects of being a college student and I truly love being a Tar Heel,” says Henson. “We had a fun and successful season, but we all want to improve on what we accomplished. I know at some point I want to play in the NBA, but right now I want to enjoy my college life. My teammates and coaches are great and I want to help them reach the big dreams we all share.”
“I came to Carolina because it had the balance of academics and basketball I wanted and it was the best place for me to prepare for life and a career in the NBA,” says Zeller. “That’s exactly what we have here. I want to finish my college career, compete for championships and graduate on time. That means a lot to my family and me. Plus, I know I can get stronger and improve my all-around game with another year. We had a great season getting to the Elite Eight, but I would like a chance at going out with another title.”
Roy Williams said Harrison Barnes was not as far in the process and wanted more information. Barnes stated the other day that he was looking at making a decision next week.
At any rate getting the two big men back is huge. Yes, it would be nice to have them all but if worse comes to worse and Barnes does leave, I think UNC is still a Final Four contender.
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get pumped!
2/3 of the way there. Love to get 3/3 of way. Either way, Nawleans looks like a good vacation destination for April.
Barnes will certainly be missed if he goes. While he wasn’t a consistent go-to guy this year and was most helpful in late game situations, I believe he would develop that all-around 40-minute game as a soph. That being said, even if he goes, we’re still a better team than we were this year with the addition of the freshmen and maturation of Henson/Marshall/Strickland. We should be able to dump it down to Zeller all game, Hairston can maybe be the 3 pt threat we need (along with Bullock?) when teams start to double Zeller or play zone. We can replace Barnes by adding together pieces like KM, Hairston, McDonald & Bullock, but we would have a much tougher time replacing an inside scoring machine like Zeller or a defensive ace like Henson.
still don’t think barnes goes, especially with these two coming back, but i can’t help but feel a barnes-less team might be a better environment for McAdoo to flourish IF he lives up to the hype. luckily, he’s not coming in as the savior of carolina basketball like harrison was. I think that savior role is going to keep barnes here. He knows he can do something special and with essentially everyone back now (except knox) it’s probably a lot harder to say no
please come back harrison please please please
Woohoo!
I don’t see Barnes picking the money now over the fun he’s having. His Legacy hasn’t come about. There would be nothing in the rafters. A couple single game records.
Joe Forte, but with much fonder memories.
There can be Zero Debate that Carolina is a better team with Barnes than without, but losing Henson and Zeller would have been the bigger blow considering there would be a healthy Bullock, Hairston, and an improved Strickland able to fill some of the void of losing Barnes. But the replacement for losing Henson and Zeller would be Jackson Simmons. YIKES!!!
So the big disaster is averted (potential for only one quality front court player), now the question on the table is How Good will Carolina be:
1) Final Four contender without Barnes
or
2) Co-National Title Favorite with Kentucky if Barnes Returns
On the flip side, I believe this guarantees Hubert will not commit to Carolina and most likely ends up @ Maryland, unless Debbie Yow decides to tamper with that process
heck even forte got his #40 jersey in the rafters
In other news, Irving gone and hiring an agent
I agree with scl11′s comments.
If Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones leaves, I would pick UNC as the unanimous preseason No. 1 even without Barnes.
The final game was 2 days ago and even when UNC has a 6 or more game winning streak going at this time of year, I am usually sad at the thought of having to wait 7 months until the season begins again.
NOT THIS YEAR!
This season has been GREAT and it was a real pleasure watching it unfold. I’ve enjoyed reading their twitter feeds and the scene from Cobb court was awesome. I hope that they all return just to see “what-if” but seeing them smile, laugh, goof-off and enjoy everything has been a blessing.
Not sad or relieved this year; simply happy.
i guess Forte got the honored jersey for ACC POY?
Irving’s statement said all the right things, but seems like it was never a doubt. probably figured if he had to have a college attended listed after his name, it might as well be dook.
dook takes a huge hit. bummer.
the boys are at Avery right now. son of a friend with eyes on em.
Leslie apparently ripped the rim down at Teague and they slid over to Avery.
big crowd on hand.
rock stars!
Come on Mr. Barnes – that ring is just waiting for you to come (back) and get it.
“enjoy. . . love. . . fun. . .”
Attaboy, Henson! He’s gotten wiser than he was in 2009, when he said he would go as soon as the money was there. I know that some kids need to do that because of the family’s situation, but that’s not the case with John.
Up until the recent comments by Henson and his parents, I was really expecting him to leave, and that would really have hurt the program, given the shortage of bigs.
SWEET…. I still think Harrison comes back as well. He is having to much fun..I cannot see him walking away from the chance of winning the title next season,,,a very good chance.
IMO I think he waited to let Z and John have the sppotlight first ( they are the elders, upper classmen and that is just the type of kid Harrison is ) because you do know if they all announced it together the focus would be on Harrison,
Love how they are playing pick up games with students.. Too funny about Leslie Mac tearign down the rim..
Cannot wait till next season…How many days till late night..
So much to loook foward to next season..game on ship, championships…( ACC and National title) Loved Z’s last statement..chance to go out with another title….
GO HEELS
GO HEELS..
great news.
guys, college is the best time of our lives. enjoy it, don’t rush into adulthood. i wish i could be back in school every time i’m on campus visiting my kids.
Immediate favorites to make the final four now with Z and Henson returning. Top 5 in preseason too. If Barnes returns, we’re #1 preseason, doesn’t matter what Kentucky does IMO.
We’ve got our top 8 (w/o HB) and top 9 (w/ HB). Seems just about perfect. And our blue team of Simmons, White, Watts and maybe Cannon will dominate the last 2 mins of games too.
ITA 40yr…College life is the best time of ones life and it goes by so fast. Enjoy it while you can. I wish I was back in college.
I think Harrison is back..How can he leave his buddies…
First, no larry didnt stay in chapel hill this summer stories….
Harrison has a tough decision bc he wants to come back, but is that the best business decision. Zeller and Henson were at best late lottery picks, while Barnes is a potential top 5 pick. That is a lot of money to leave on the table with no guarantee it will be there next year. Scouts could begin to look at Barnes as being scared of the next level, and his stock could drop. He would be the first high profile recruit since the one and done rule to stay the second year.
We can all thank Kendall Marshall because with out him running the show, and leading the team, all 3 would be running out the door. He is the true savior of Carolina Basketball. From 4-3 to 29-8…. If he wasnt here, Carolina would be in a lot of trouble.
you can use abc
makeitWayne,
You are right. This is draft is shaping up to be a very weak draft. The 2012 Draft will be jam-packed.
MitW22, HB cares too much about his UNC legacy to go, the great ones know they will be a top pick whenever they enter the draft.
Made my day! The news was even headlined on sports talk radio out here in our dusty little cow town Gotta make it more likely Barnes will stay
Blake Griffin was a top 10 pick if he came out after his freshman year and he came back so Barnes wouldn’t be the first.
I completely agree with you make it wayne! Kendall Marshall made our guys a team. It has been a wonderful “winning” season and a complete blast!
Best news all week was Henson and Zeller coming back! Not sure about Barnes, if he was coming back I would think he would announce today just like Henson and Z. So I tend to think he is probally one and done. But I still love the Black Falcon
I would think it would be easier for him to walk away from the NBA then walk away from this team and he is no dumby, he knows how good they could/should be next year. If he truly wants to leave his mark at UNC you can’t walk away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eq5Tw5jPCY
hahahahahaha
With Irving now officially going pro, there is not much standing between UNC and an undefeated regular ACC season. I think if Barnes returns, it will be expected, and even if he doesn’t it will certainly still be probable. Now if Duke had FOUR Plumlees, that would be a different story.
^2009 team did not even go undefeated in the ACC, nothing wrong with high expectations, but don’t lose sight of the main goal which is winning the final Monday night in New Orleans.
I have said this many times here: The three will return. Barnes is nowhere close to the 23 level yet. He will need at least another year to get there. Of course he could get hurt, but he is not at full speed yet in the College game. The NBA is a different proposition and a painful lifestyle of constant draining travel.
Undefeated regular ACC season? Improbable under any circumstances. Also not really worth fretting over, it doesn’t mean much, and a loss here and there gives a team some grit it may not acquire otherwise.
But back to Harrison. From what I’ve seen this group of players is tightly-knit and truly seems to enjoy each other. Thus the return of Henson and Zeller will influence Barnes. (This is not an original thought, I know.)
But more importantly, Barnes is a smart young man and he will look at cases, like Blake Griffin vs. Marvin Williams (Marvin has never become a truly great player in the NBA, while Griffin is already a beast), and probably conclude that another year will be not only fun and exciting, but also allow him to mature and become stronger and hence more ready for the NBA. I don’t think he’s worried about the next level or even concerned that the perception may become that he’s worried about it. That video on the DTH page with the players joining the students at Cobb dorm had showed Harrison almost beaming as he described what was happening. This young man, I’m betting, is imbedded at Carolina.
Which is totally understandable, if I had my way I’d be there right now.
So what happens to the newly drafted players if there is an NBA lockout this fall? Do they get paid a signing bonus or anything over the summer or do their NBA paychecks not kick in until preseason? Anybody have any insight on that?
WOW! What a day. In my part of the country, the sun was shining, birds were chirping, Carolina Blue skies hovered over me…much like that beautiful day back in 2008 when yesterday’s “Big Three” announced they were returning.
A couple of thoughts…
1. I am on board with everyone who feels as though the key to a special season (next year) was maintaining an NBA-type frontcourt. With Zeller and Henson back, watch out.
Both players demonstrated a desire to improve and it showed in the games this past year. Both will be amazing next year, and we are truly blessed to have them back.
2. Barnes. Of course, with no announcement to accompany the other two players’ statements, the fan base goes crazy. We all want to visualize this team with HB next year, because he is the centerpiece…or is he? I will in no way attempt to disregard the amazing talent that is Harrison Barnes, but without Kendall Marshall, no way Barnes is even a 15-20 pt. machine by year’s end. Not even close.
Kendall Marshall just finished what, in my opinion, was the most significant freshman campaign that I have witnessed since first watching the Heels back in the early 1980s. All stats aside, the program was bleeding…4-3, and then 12-5…then this fantastic transformation occurs. Truly unbelievable.
Anyways, I wish to point something out, regarding Barnes and his timetable for making a decision.
Has anyone thought that Barnes is probably coming back, but he is eihter: 1. debating whether or not he should declare without an agent this year, and get pro feedback, or 2. taking the information that Roy has given him, dutifully processing that info, and then saying, “thanks, but no thanks” to the NBA this year?
Think about it. Barnes is one of the more methodical young basketball players that I have seen. The decision for him could simply be about testing the waters (to get feedback outside of the UNC camp) and then coming back knowing what NBA think he needs to improve upon, or he could just be taking Roy’s information and projecting things for next year’s draft. He is probably looking at the Blake Griffin model, or even the Tyler Hansbrough model. Neither of those two players hurt themselves (not literally) by coming back. Granted, Griffin was a projected lottery pick, and Psycho T was not, but both players put their stock on the table and rolled the dice.
I think Barnes is merely deciding upon how much information he wants to obtain right now, in order to make himself the best player for the Heels next year, and beyond.
My understanding is rookies don’t get paid their first paycheck until November. Don’t know about signing bonuses. They can sign endorsement deals and take out loans on the basis of future earnings. Kyrie Irving, for example, will get a shoe contract and get paid that way.
“Undefeated regular ACC season? Improbable under any circumstances.”
Exactly. In a similar line of thinking, I saw a post on IC that mentioned the possibility of UNC going undefeated and I just cringed. I honestly believe that we will see a school win 3-straight titles and see a 16-seed beat a 1-seed before we see a team go 39-0 or 40-0.
^^^^^
You guys talk about the ACC as if it’s still good. We are going to be an elite team in a mediocre (at best) conference. You only need to look as far as the coaches hired this week to realize that the ACC has lost its luster the past few years. The bar for NC State used to be to get back on level footing with UNC and Duke. It was never going to happen, but at least that’s what they shot for. Now, it’s “let’s try and hire someone who’s not a total embarrassment”. Wake’s a mess. Georgia Tech’s a mess. Miami’s a mess. Duke took a giant step backwards today while we took a giant step forward. The cheese now stands alone.
Whoa! Whoa!Let’s stop this talk about being #1 at the start of the season.To my recollection, no team has won a title at the beginning of the season.Let’s just hope they’re #1 at the end of the season.(Let’s not forget 1983 UNC, unanimous #1). Also,glad Zeller and Henson r back,cuz if they left UNC would be in BIG TROUBLE!!If Barnes leaves(I hope he doesn’t)Carolina would be able absorb his lost better cuz J MAC is coming to town.Plus PJ,Reggie and J Mac can all play the SF, maybe not as dynamic as HB but who knows.
The cake is baked… Barnes would be the icing!
I agree with scl11′s comments.
Barnes is better but Zeller and Henson are more important given our current projected make up, but it really would be a shame not to see more of Harrison. I know there are beaucoup dollars to be made, but I see Barnes as someone similar to Kenny Smith and Shane Battier, who will benefit from college, rather than an Andrey Blatche or Shaun Livingston or Kwame Brown.
It was a fun year but I am still disappointed because we were at least as good as any of the Final Four teams. There was a title to be had on the cheap and we came pretty damn close.
I do disagree about the relative possibilities of an undefeated season by someone. In the last 20 years, UNLV and Illinios both came relatively close to going undefeated, as did Duke in 1999. None of these teams won the title, which seems to have given the whole venture a bad name. You do probably have to have some luck to do it unless you are UCLA, as our 1957 team won all four of its games that went into overtime, but I think it will happen and it might as well happen to UNC, although it is pretty brazen to predict it.
@DeanForever – I total agree with your thinking regarding Barnes’ decision making. Even if Barnes’ intent is to come back, I would be very surprised if he didn’t go through the draft process (without hiring an agent) just to get a list of things to work on to improve his game.
This is great news! IF Barnes chooses to return, and I hope and expect that he will, he should be a prime candidate for NPOY and the Heels will be a powerhouse!
By the way, aren’t we fortunate that Kendall Marshall chose Carolina and Irving chose Dook? Irving does not even qualify as a “one and done”. More like a 10%’er and gone, gone, gone.
Hope the Plumlee family continues to stock Dook with Wear-like
“talent”. Already looking forward to Tar Heel basketball, 2011-2012.
Go Heels!!
This is such awesome news. I had a feeling Z would come back but really thought Henson and Barnes would jump. I hope Barnes returns. He seems like he has his head on straight but he is going to be a great NBA player whenever he leaves. He has all the tools.
Zeller now has the chance to get his 2nd NCAA Championship ring. Has that ever been done before? If the season ends that way and if Zeller earns 1st-team all acc, is it enough to get his jersey into the rafters?
Jerseys are only honored for 1st and/or 2nd team consensus AA, MVP of National Championship team, and/or a gold medal. All ACC is not honored.
Retired Jerseys are for Consensus National Player of the year.
Two additional changes by Roy: ACC POY and MOP of the Final Four. When Lawson won ACC POY, Roy thought they honored for that but didn’t so he changed the rule. They also changed it to include FF MOP which and then honored Wayne Ellington and Donald Williams’ jerseys.
Much as though I would love Barnes coming back, because we will have the starting five returning, my big worry is how will the coach handle 4 extremely talented bench players? We will have McDonald, McAdoo, Bullock and Hairston on the bench. Throw in the new PG and Watts. How will he manage their playing times?
The first part of this season was just awful with the 5 on 5 substitution that did not let anyone get into any sort of rhythm. I still maintain, losing Drew and Bullock forced Roy to a better player rotation, kind of better coaching due to attrition.
“my big worry is how will the coach handle 4 extremely talented bench players? We will have McDonald, McAdoo, Bullock and Hairston on the bench. Throw in the new PG and Watts. How will he manage their playing times?”
First if Watts and White (new PG) are part of the normal rotation then that is an absolute FAIL on Roy’s part. Watts and White should only be insurance policies in case of injury etc., otherwise they should be the leaders of Blue Steel 2.0.
Second the McAdoo piece, should not be a major issue since he fits in nicely into a 3 man post player rotation with Z and Henson.
The issue is with the wing players and there are 2 advantages that Roy can utilize:
1) A Smaller Lineup with Barnes at the 4 to allow more minutes for Bullock and Hairston on the wing, along with more minutes for Strickland as the backup PG to free up SG mins for the reserve wing players.
2) Whoever is making shots is the guy that plays, because the perimeter shooting of McDonald, Bullock, and Hairston will be the X factor on whether this time is just another good team like this past year or a GREAT time that could win the title.
You never know how injuries can impact a season, so still like the idea of maybe having one piece too many vs. not enough.
Barnes would be the most versatile player on the team – able to play on the perimeter or in the post. If he comes back he should be on the floor as long as he wants to be on the floor and can be moved back and forth between small and power forward positions based on whoever else is on the floor.
Bullock and Hairston are both question marks, there’s no way of knowing how good either will be. We already know how good Barnes is.
McDonald’s playing time should be based on whether or not he is able to make a positive contribution right away upon entering the game.
Anyway you look at it the team will better off with Barnes then it would be without him.
Has anyone checked Barnes skype account?
Questions about playing time and substitution patterns can be worked out in November and December.
I’m not worried. It’s a great problem to have, and I hope Barnes stays so we’ll have more of it.
Morris twins just entered the draft.
jmo, but I think Butler & VCU (I guess GMU should get credit too) will force a lot of change in the College game in the next several years. If I’m a player like McDonald, who’s looking at a reserve role under most circumstances, I really consider a VCU or Butler, either at the front end, or a transfer. the Mickey D’s will still hit the majors but there won’t be nearly the depth there has been.
What an amazing difference a year makes. Rather than shopping himself around the NBA proper, I think the business savvy Barnes is looking into the endorsement market.
He will be more of an endorsement asset if he has the sort of year possible with a return to Chapel Hill.
Endorsements are where the big money is made. For those who are able to secure them.
So yet another reason for Barnes to come back.
Hansbrough was great at the mid range jump shot for a while after he got to play more this winter. Until the defenses got after the catch and shoot rhythm move. Barnes of course loves this way to score. Hansbrough has a lot more ways to score. Barnes needs to make progress on other options as well.
http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/multimedia/6142
If Henson could just shoot from the outside like that in games.
^Henson did that in high school.
log in rit naw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
^nailed it.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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I am guessing I am the only one who is watching the Nike Hoop Summit.
So far Gilchrist looks like a man among boys. Bismack Biyombo of the World Team looks like a beast. Anthony Davis had a good game, almost all of his were on alley oops or in transition, but he was being tossed around by Biyombo. Davis did a good job setting up the break after the rebound however. Kevin Pangos of the World Team(going to Gonzaga) looks pretty slick.
Ernie Kent is an idiot…..
Has anyone seen Tywon Lawson’s 37 points tonight? He was 10-11 from the 3 point line. Amazing!!! 10 for 11!!!
^wow JB–that is truly what you call “feelin it”! btw–looks like that Felton thing is working out pretty well in Denver…win/win.