BYU basketball on final list for 2027 five-star DeMarcus Henry

Kevin Young and BYU basketball are hoping to pull in another five-star talent.

DeMarcus Henry, who's the No. 3 ranked player in the 2027 recruiting class, is down to eight schools with the Cougars in the mix. The 6-foot-7 small forward will decide between Arkansas, BYU, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, Ohio State, and UConn. A stacked list with potential all the way around.

Henry has one thing in common with former BYU star AJ Dybantsa. The five-star duo has similar traits to Kevin Durant.

”I’m just very versatile,” Henry told Rivals. “I can play one through four and just help my teammates and hit shots and play defense. I watch a lot of KD and Paul George. How they score it, and how they could shoot off the dribble, shoot off the catch. 
I’ve gotten tougher and just more aggressive when I transferred to AZ Compass and just being able to get downhill, I feel like that’s really developed for me.”

Young, having worked the most with Durant throughout his years as an NBA assistant, should use his experience as a selling point. Dybantsa modeled his game around KD's versatility, and he became BYU's first No. 1 overall pick in NBA history. There could be a similar blueprint laid out for Henry.

“What I’m looking for in school is someone that just pushes me to be better," Henry added. "Help me grow into the person I know I can be and someone who will help me reach my potential. I want to play for a coach that will hold me accountable and help me make me uncomfortable and keep growing and keep getting better and just help me reach the NBA, which is my ultimate goal.”

On tape, Henry has shades of Dybantsa in his game. The newest Wizards prospect is bigger in wingspan and height, but it's a clear carbon copy. Henry is a hustler on the floor and rarely gives up on a play. He also loves to crash in the lane whenever he gets the opportunity.

His feel for the game is way beyond his years. If he were coming into the league right out of high school, Henry would have NBA lottery consideration. But he'll benefit from the right guidance with a program that understands the evolution of the game to the next level.

We'll soon see which direction Henry will be taking for his future. However, all the evidence is there of how he would be a tremendous fit in Provo next year.

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