COMMITTMENT: 5-Star 6 Foot Wing Commits To Tar Heels Over Arizona
Class of 2025 five-star recruit Taliyah Henderson committed to North Carolina on Friday. The 6-foot wing from Tucson, Arizona, chose the Tar Heels over several top programs, including Arizona, Michigan, USC, UConn, and Tennessee.
Ranked as the No. 21 prospect in her class by ESPN, Henderson expressed her enthusiasm for North Carolina in an interview with 247Sports. “I love everything about North Carolina,” Henderson shared. “They checked all my boxes, from academics to athletics. I grew up in a high academic family, and North Carolina’s top-notch journalism program and strong community appealed to me.”
Henderson also praised the UNC coaching staff and the bond she developed with Tar Heel head coach Courtney Banghart. “The coaches are amazing,” she said. “During my visit, I felt an instant connection with Coach Banghart and the staff. I’m very focused on player development and have aspirations to play in the WNBA and for Team Canada in the Olympics. They provided a detailed, day-by-day development plan, which really spoke to me.”
The family atmosphere at UNC was another significant factor in Henderson’s decision. “My family is very important to me, and I wanted to find a similar support system away from home. At UNC, I felt that support from everyone I met,” she explained.
Henderson was also intrigued by UNC’s playing style, which differs from what she’s used to. “They run a four-out, four-in system that allows for versatility and movement, which I found appealing. Watching practice, I saw how much the coaches care about player development and creating opportunities for everyone on the court,” she noted.
Henderson plans to bring her size and versatility to the Tar Heels next year. “I pride myself on being versatile, using my speed, and playing strong defense. I can guard multiple positions and want to be an aggressive defender who makes it tough for opponents to score,” she said.
With her commitment secured, Henderson has set ambitious goals for herself and the team. “My goal is to improve every day, with the ultimate aim of playing professionally and in the Olympics. I also want to help build an unstoppable culture at UNC and win a national championship. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that, even recruiting other players myself,” she declared.
Brandon Clay, 247Sports Director of Scouting, provided his analysis of Henderson, highlighting her recent success with the Canadian 18-and-Under National Team. He noted her versatility, length, and potential to be a factor on both ends of the court, especially if she continues to develop her outside shooting.