Henri Veesaar Delivering Double-Doubles for UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. —— In his three seasons before arriving to North Carolina, Henri Veesaar never recorded a double-double. But in Sunday evening’s win over Georgetown, the seven-footer tallied his fifth of the season. 

It’s an occurrence that’s become so common for the Tar Heels that coach Hubert Davis couldn’t believe he hadn’t achieved it before this year. 

“I was shocked. I was like ‘what the bejeebies?’” Davis said jokingly after the Georgetown game about his reaction to Veesaar’s first double-double earlier this season. “I mean, we put a lot of weight and importance on him. He’s so huge for us on both ends of the floor.”

What has now become a frequent box score for the center, Veesaar’s double-double of 18 points and a season-high 15 rebounds against Georgetown, helped power No. 16 UNC to an 81-61 win over the Hoyas at the Smith Center on Sunday. Fueled by a love for the physicality in the post, he’s not only carried the burden Davis has placed on him this season, but exceeded it. He consistently stretches the floor for UNC with shooting from distance, while still protecting the rim — as he did with a pair of 3-pointers and three blocks against Georgetown.

“When you got a seven-footer that can score around the basket, can pass, can handle, can shoot threes, (he’s) somebody that I like that’s on our team,” Davis said. 

Reflecting on what has spurred Veesaar to a consistent 16.2 points and 9.2 rebounds a night for North Carolina this season, the Estonian native credited assistant coach Sean May, adding that working with the former Tar Heel big man on his box-out technique has created a lot more rebounding opportunities this season. 

Veesaar wanted to emphasize the defensive side of his game — since he felt his scoring was a strong suit — and has learned playing more physical under the rim when battling for boards has been the difference. 

“Last year, I did a good job of boxing out and not letting my guy get a rebound, but I feel like this year I’m doing a good job of hitting and then releasing to get the ball,” Veesaar said. “Just doing that helps a lot.”

But it hasn’t just been the defensive end or rebounding where Veesaar has thrived. Offensively, he’s put up double-figure scoring in all nine games this season on an efficient 63.6 percent shooting from the floor.  He’s also shot well from beyond the arc this season, 8-for-18 (44.4%), which included a pair of made triples against the Hoyas, one of which was was one of the most impressive makes of the night. 

It happened late in the first half, when Veesaar caught an inbounds pass with his back square to Georgetown’s basket. With zero hesitation, the center turned to face the rim from the perimeter and buried a three like he was the most confident shooter on the court. 

And because of Veesaar’s ability to shoot, teams have had to guard the big man on the perimeter, spacing the floor for both him and other Tar Heels to score. 

“He’s able to step out and shoot so he can pick-and-pop, he can pick-and-roll, and he’s a really good finisher around the rim,” Dixon said. “It’s just opens a lot of things for us and it really means a lot for our team.” 

Perhaps the most gravitating component of Veesaar’s double-doubles is the emotion he displays while chasing them. After several possessions, he can be seen getting onto teammates in huddles, flexing after he makes an and-1 or swats a ball out of bounds and plays into the energy of the Smith Center crowd.

It’s that passion that not only fuels his effort and focus, but also helps Veesaar dominate a physical space in the post — one that leaves him with countless scratches, bruises and abrasions when he sits down for post-game interviews.

“I want to win. I know they want to win,” Veesaar said about his fire in the huddles. “They know I’m not mad at them and it’s just love for the game, love for the team… I feel like I wasn’t even playing angry, just playing with emotion and heart, and having passion for the game.”