CHAPEL HILL -- Set, pivot, swish. Set, pivot, swish.
Even after a muscle-aching weight room workout earlier this month, North Carolina junior John Henson - the ACC's reigning defensive player of the year - got back out on the court to show off some of the offensive improvements he is working on this summer.
"I don't know if I'll ever be known as a quote, 'offensive guy,' " said the ever-grinning 6-foot-10 junior, who has gained about 10 pounds since last season and now weighs about 220. "But I think I can be known as being stable on the offensive end. ...
"My offensive goal is to just have a consistent shot to where I just keep the defender honest. That will open it up for Z [Tyler Zeller], open it up for Harrison [Barnes], and I think that will be what's best for the team."
Henson, a second-team All-ACC forward who averaged 11.7 points last season, has been putting up hundreds of shots each day in an effort to bolster the Tar Heels, who are expected to open the season with the No. 1 ranking.
Known more for his ability to block shots (118 last season) and reach above almost everyone with his 7-foot, 4-inch wingspan to grab rebounds (10.1 per game last season), he nonetheless has been connecting more on his mid-range jumper and recently has added another weapon.
"You're going to kind of laugh, but my right-hand hook is pretty nice," he said. "I've always been a left-handed guy, so it's pretty funny. I'm still working on all of my offensive moves, so that in the right situation, I'll have the right move. But that one, I'd say, is coming along the most right now."
Henson - who writes and usually shoots right-handed but does almost everything else with his left - had been working toward a left-handed hook as his go-to move.
"But long story short, most people play my left-handed hook ... so I had to go to something else," he said.
His ability to add to his arsenal shows continued improvement for the former McDonald's All-American, who struggled to find his college niche until he was moved from small forward to power forward during the latter part of his freshman season. Since then, he has blossomed.
Continuing to round out his game - as well as his enjoyment of college, and itch to win a national title - definitely made an impact on his decision to return to UNC this season, rather than declare for the NBA Draft, where he likely would have been a first-round pick.
"John's dad had the best statement: 'It's not how quickly you get to the NBA, but how ready you are when you get there,' " UNC coach Roy Williams said recently. "The agents always say you have to get your clock running faster, but they have other motives.
"I think there is something to be said for being able to be successful right when you get there - that's extremely important. I think John understands that and his family does. ... John himself is another very unique individual that knows he can do so much more."
Henson, who aims to be voted the ACC's top defender again this season, said his most important goal is shared by the team: to win the NCAA championship.
"It still hurts, thinking about that Kentucky game," Henson said of UNC's loss to the Wildcats in the regional finals in March. "But it does drive us, to know how it felt. Our run got cut short, but we're ready to pick it back up."
Which is why, sore or not, he's back in the gym every day: set, pivot, swish.
"It's getting there," he said, grinning again.
