There are several promising center prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. The most well-known of those prospects are guys like Jayden Quaintance and Patrick Ngongba II, who show immense potential as prospects. However, there are other strong center prospects outside of Quaintance or Ngongba. One particular name that stands out is UNC big man Henri Veesaar, who has had a stellar campaign with the Tar Heels next to Caleb Wilson. While Wilson has taken much of the spotlight, Veesaar has demonstrated himself to be an incredibly productive player who possesses the versatility to affect the game in many different ways. Let’s dive into a prospect overview of the 2026 NBA Draft prospect, Henri Veesaar.
2026 NBA Draft Prospect Overview: UNC Center Henri Veesaar
Areas Of Excellence
Versatile Scoring Game
One thing that sets Veesaar apart from other center prospects in the class is his scoring versatility. Veesaar is capable of scoring on all three levels efficiently, with significant improvement in his three-point shot. In particular, he has shot 45.8% from three on 2.8 attempts, which is a big jump from 32.7% on 1.3 attempts last year. While it isn’t on high volume, his shot improvement gives him the potential to be a real shooter in the future. Plus, it also allows him major versatility in how he can be used.
Additionally, Veesaar is a great finisher at the rim and a skilled operator in the pick-and-roll as a screener. He knows how to effectively screen off opponents while rolling hard to the basket, using his tremendous touch to finish well around the rim. Veesaar also works well as a cutter and rim runner. While he may not be the most athletic, Veesaar is more than capable of throwing down dunks over opponents. Veesaar can even put the ball on the floor to attack the basket, which is more apparent during transition opportunities where he can lead the break.
Impactful Defense And Rebounding
Like on offense, Veesaar is a skilled prospect on the defensive end and as a rebounder. While athleticism does put some limits on him, Veesaar is a solid defender in the paint. He knows how to use his length, size, and anticipation to alter shots near the rim. Furthermore, he can be a solid weakside rim protector who has enough athleticism to block shots. Another important aspect of Veesaar’s defense is his mobility. He has the footspeed to be able to find some success switching on defense. Furthermore, his mobility also allows him to be used in various defensive coverages like hedging. Veesaar, to go along with his defense, is an excellent rebounder who averages nine rebounds per game. He uses his length to be impactful on the boards, and that extends to both ends of the court. He can easily keep possessions alive for second-chance points.
Intriguing Passing Skill
Something that augments his offensive game further is his intriguing passing for his size. Veesaar has the court vision and passing ability to find cutters and open teammates. Plus, he is consistently decisive when making passing reads in the short roll. While he isn’t a playmaking hub out of the middle, Veesaar can easily be a connective passer within an offense, keeping the ball moving.
Jan 17, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Areas Of Concern
Needs More Strength
One clear area that Veesaar must improve in is his strength. Specifically, Veesaar can be outmuscled by opposing players, which negatively affects him on both ends. Offensively, Veesaar can find difficulty in creating shots in the post as he can be bumped off his preferred spots. Defensively, Veesaar can be outworked by opposing bigs who can create leverage versus Veesaar and finish at the rim. To be more effective on both ends, Veesaar must become stronger to contend with physically imposing opponents.
Not Exactly The Most Athletic
Another area that isn’t in favor of Veesaar is his athleticism. To be clear, Veesaar is by no means unathletic. He has demonstrated throughout his college career that he can throw down dunks, go high for rebounds, and block shots. Furthermore, Veesaar has a level of mobility that grants him additional versatility defensively. However, Veesaar isn’t someone who can make consistent explosive plays like his teammate in Wilson. While he can get blocks, Veesaar’s lack of vertical athleticism limits how effective he can be as a shot-blocker.
The Last Word
Overall, UNC center Henri Veesaar is a highly productive and versatile player at the center position. He is certainly a well-rounded scorer for his position, being able to score efficiently on all three levels. Not only that, but Veesaar has shown great promise as a passer, particularly on the short roll. Defensively, Veesaar knows how to utilize his size, length, and basketball IQ to make impactful plays. He knows exactly where he needs to be to provide solid rim protection and defensive rotations. With these skills, Veesaar is a prospect in the conversation of being a first-rounder. Combining his skills and experience as an upperclassman, he can provide production to any team that drafts him. In particular, any team that needs a center should keep Veesaar on their radar.
Featured Image:Â Bob Donnan-Imagn Images