John Henson has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball. The former UNC standout, who hasn’t played since the 2019-2020 season, made the decision public via a statement shared by @RGSafePlay.
A highly-touted recruit out of high school, Henson distinguished himself as one of the premier defensive players during his time at North Carolina. He remains the only UNC player to have won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award and is among the select few in conference history to win it multiple times.
Reflecting on his college years in an interview with Inside Carolina, Henson expressed his fondness for his time at UNC. “UNC was a great experience. I loved every minute there. It was the best time of my life to this day. Not even close. I still talk to a lot of teammates,” he said.
Henson’s NBA journey began when he was selected in the first round of the 2012 Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Over seven seasons with the Bucks, followed by brief stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons, he averaged 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. After his NBA career, Henson sought opportunities overseas before deciding to transition into broadcasting.
This season, he will provide color commentary for ACC games on Raycom and contribute to the Field of 68 podcasts, among other media roles. UNC fans can expect to see Henson analyzing ACC basketball and sharing his insights in his new role as a sports analyst.
Henson’s basketball career, marked by his impressive tenure and dedication, sets a strong foundation for his next chapter as he moves into sports media.
