UNC Basketball: Henri Veesaar Opens Up on His Journey, Expectations, and Chemistry with New Teammates

UNC Basketball: Henri Veesaar Opens Up on His Journey, Expectations, and Chemistry with New Teammates

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — For North Carolina basketball, the offseason has been about more than just filling roster holes it has been about finding players who fit the culture of excellence that has defined Tar Heel basketball for decades. On Wednesday afternoon at the Smith Center, new transfer big man Henri Veesaar sat down with local reporters for the first time since arriving in Chapel Hill.

The 7-foot forward from Estonia, who spent the last three years at Arizona, comes to UNC with a wealth of international experience and an already-proven résumé in high-major basketball. But beyond the numbers, what stood out in his first public appearance was his excitement to embrace both the opportunity and responsibility of wearing Carolina Blue.

From Estonia to Chapel Hill: A Long Basketball Journey

Veesaar’s path to North Carolina has been anything but conventional. Growing up in Estonia, he was raised in a household where basketball was more than just a sport  it was part of his identity.

“I would say I started practicing first when I was 8 years old,” Veesaar explained. “But as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a basketball in my hand. My dad loves basketball. He used to play and then, as long as I can remember, I always had a basketball with my hands.”

At just 15, Veesaar made a life-changing decision: moving to Spain to join Real Madrid’s youth academy, one of the premier basketball pipelines in Europe. It was there that he sharpened his skills against elite international talent, preparing him for the transition to the United States.

“When I was in my last year there, I decided to go to Arizona, and I was there three years,” he said. “I’ve been away from home for a long time, so I’m used to it, but I still get homesick sometimes.”

Building on a Strong Foundation

During his time at Arizona, Veesaar showed glimpses of his potential as a modern big man. He played in all 37 games for the Wildcats last season, averaging 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting an eye-catching 70 percent on two-point field goals. That efficiency ranked him second in the Big 12, proving his ability to finish around the rim and thrive in high-percentage situations.

He also ranked seventh in the league in block rate and eighth in offensive rebounding percentage, numbers that highlight his defensive impact and his ability to generate second-chance opportunities. For a UNC team that struggled with size and rebounding last year, Veesaar’s presence fills a glaring need.

Learning from UNC’s Tradition of Big Men

When asked if the UNC coaching staff had shown him film of Tar Heel greats like Armando Bacot, Veesaar acknowledged that Carolina’s tradition of dominant bigs is one he takes seriously.

“He was an amazing player here,” Veesaar said of Bacot. “Obviously, we have watched a couple of clips of him and how he plays, and as a team as a whole. We have watched a lot of the past teams rebounding, like Harrison Ingram or Armando Bacot. They were both phenomenal at it defensively, offensively, so it’s kind of what you just have to pick up and see what they’re doing.”

That kind of film study reflects not only Veesaar’s willingness to learn but also the coaching staff’s intention to plug him into a system that values toughness, rebounding, and interior presence  all areas where last year’s roster fell short.

Early Chemistry with Kyan Evans

One of the most intriguing developments from the summer has been Veesaar’s budding connection with transfer guard Kyan Evans. The two have been working extensively in pick-and-roll situations during workouts, and Veesaar spoke with excitement about their synergy.

“We have had a great connection over the summer. Really great connection,” he said. “We both had to first adjust to each other playing out of pick-and-rolls and just kind of learning about the way we play, because he definitely needs the space to shoot. He’s really good at it whenever anybody goes under.”

Veesaar explained how he has already begun making small but impactful adjustments to support Evans’ game. “In practice, whenever I can, if I see anybody like trying to decide if they should go over or under, I will try to take a step higher. That way I can just stay there in front of him, let him shoot behind me, because that way there’s no contest. And he shoots it at such a high rate and so efficiently that I think it’s very hard for other teams to guard. And when he gets down, he has a really good floater, and he’s such a good decision-maker. He stays very patient that it’s amazing playing with him.”

For UNC fans, this is a glimpse of what could become one of the most effective inside-out tandems in the ACC.

Offensive Fit and Floor Spacing

When asked about how he envisions his role in the offense, Veesaar didn’t hesitate to describe the versatility he hopes to bring.

“There’s going to be room for me to shoot. I’m definitely going to be rolling a lot with the guards we have, getting downhill,” he said. “We’re going to have great floor spacing with the shooters we have, and I think we’re going to have a good connection also with Caleb (Wilson) and the bigs. When he goes without the ball, we can kind of see each other moving around and see where the open spaces are. I think we can just have a very efficient offense this year.”

This vision of a fluid, versatile, and spacing-driven offense is exactly what Hubert Davis has been striving to create since taking over as head coach. With Veesaar’s ability to finish inside, stretch the floor, and facilitate in pick-and-rolls, UNC will have options that last year’s roster lacked.

What It Means for UNC

For a Tar Heels program under pressure to return to national prominence, Henri Veesaar’s arrival could not have come at a better time. His combination of international experience, statistical production, and willingness to embrace UNC’s tradition gives the team a reliable building block in the frontcourt.

While it will take time for the new-look roster to gel, Veesaar’s presence already hints at the potential for a more balanced, efficient, and physical North Carolina team this season. And if his early words are any indication, his connection with teammates both old and new  will be a defining piece of UNC’s identity moving forward.

“We’re going to have a good connection,” Veesaar said, smiling, a phrase he repeated throughout his session. For a Tar Heel team looking to regain its championship-level rhythm, those words may prove prophetic.