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Monday, May 28, 2007

KU hoops target Henry continues to shine

By Gary Bedore

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Xavier Henry continues to make a bid to become the No. 1 player in the recruiting class of 2009.

Henry, a 6-foot-6 junior-to-be from Putnam City (Okla.) High, was the most impressive player Saturday at the Nike Memorial Day Classic in Nashville, Tenn., according to Rivals.com expert Jerry Meyer.

"Henry did what he does best, which is score at all three levels," Meyer reported. "Proficient in the mid-range, Henry also has the explosiveness to attack the rim. After struggling early with his deep jumper, Henry found the range right before the half (against a Florida team) and dropped some jaws with his patented 'hop-back' three."

Henry, the No. 2 player in his class behind Renardo Sidney (6-9 Rancho Dominguez High, Artesia, Calif.), has a college list of Kansas University, Memphis, North Carolina, Texas, Ohio State and Louisville.

The son of former KU player Carl Henry earlier this month played well at the Jayhawk Invitational in Allen Fieldhouse and Horejsi Center.

"To me, Memphis is just like Kansas," Carl Henry told the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper. "John Calipari (Memphis coach and former KU assistant) is there, and he would do the same things Bill Self could do for my son."

Xavier told the paper he likely would not pick a school until the summer of 2008.

"My family has been a Kansas-playing family," Xavier Henry said. His brother, C.J., orally committed to KU his senior year of high school before electing to sign a pro baseball contract. His mother also played at KU.

"Everybody went there, but I'm pretty open about it. I like knowing my teammates and knowing the coaches and having a great relationship with everybody so I know what I'm getting into."

¢Another Henry: KU is also recruiting a Henry in the Class of 2008. Terrance Henry, a 6-9 senior-to-be from Carroll High in Monroe, La., and no relation to Xavier, told Rivals.com he has a top five of KU, Baylor, LSU, Mississippi and Miami. The No. 47-rated player in the class also has heard from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, USC, Oklahoma and others.

¢Oklahomans: Rotnei Clarke, a 6-foot senior-to-be from Claremore, Okla., lists KU, Oklahoma, Florida, Kentucky, Marquette, Washington State, Arizona State and Gonzaga. Daniel Orton, a 6-9 junior-to-be from Oklahoma City, lists KU, Maryland, Oklahoma, Auburn, Florida and Oklahoma State.

¢UNC offers Zeller: Tyler Zeller, a 6-11 senior-to-be from Washington, Ind., received a scholarship offer from North Carolina over the weekend at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions AAU Tournament, the Durham Herald-Sun reports.

Rivals.com's No. 15-rated player has a list of KU, UNC, Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky and Tennessee. He plans to make official visits this fall and sign in November.

¢Warren's new favorites: Willie Warren, 6-4 senior-to-be from suburban Fort Worth, Texas, who will play at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia this season, says his current favorites are Oklahoma, Marquette, UConn, Texas and Kentucky. KU remains on his list.

¢Point guard to 'Zona: Arizona has received an oral commitment from Brandon Jennings, a 6-1 senior-to-be from Compton, Calif., who is headed to Oak Hill this season. Jennings said he chose UA over Connecticut, Kentucky, USC and Kansas.

¢Bilas on Wright: ESPN's Jay Bilas recently traveled to Vancouver with NBA Draft hopefuls Julian Wright, Kevin Durant, Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah and Al Horford as part of a promotion for EA Sports.

Bilas conducted a 45-minute workout with each player.

"Julian Wright is a dynamic athlete, and another guy who is willing to work and listen," Bilas reported on ESPN.com. "He has a great personality on the floor and really goes after the ball. Wright has done a lot of focused work on his shooting, and his form and shot consistency have really improved. When he got into a rhythm, Wright knocked down as many shots as any player, save Kevin Durant. He has a great first step and just explodes off the floor. Wright is instinctive and can really run. Put him in the Phoenix Suns' lineup, and he would be the team's second-fastest player in the open floor to Leandro Barbosa. Wright did nothing to dissuade me from having ranked him as the sixth-best prospect in this year's NBA draft."

Wright beat the other five players in a half-court shooting contest. He was the first player to hit two half-court shots.

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Comments

kushaw (anonymous) says...

Sounds like a good drill. Good work-out Bilas. I think next time you'll need to try 3/4 court shots. I think that will get their form to your exact specifications.

May 28, 2007 at 8:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rohdek (Kyle Rohde) says...

The 1/2 court shooting contest was to win a PS3 or a PSP or something. EA Sports sponsored the workout.

May 28, 2007 at 9:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

tis4tim (anonymous) says...

"Memphis is just like Kansas." Brutal.

May 28, 2007 at 10:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KUHoops14 (anonymous) says...

Losing Henry would be huge. Bills gotta put all the chips on the table for that kid. Maybe that includes getting his brother back into college basketball?

P.S. I am getting sick of Willie Warren. Every time the weather changes so does his list. Remember how "incredible" and everything his visit to Allen Field House was against Texas? I just don't see how we aren't in his top 5. Oh well, Bill Self will get it done.

May 28, 2007 at 10:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says...

We ARE NOT going to lose Henry. This kid's entire family are Jayhawks! NOT going to happen! Look for him to be at ku in 2009!

May 28, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

TaCityHawkFan (anonymous) says...

We would love to see you here, Xavier!

May 28, 2007 at 11:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

CasperCorps (anonymous) says...

How in the world does Baylor get mentioned in the same breath as KU? They must put on one heck of a recruiting trip when the kids go down there.

May 28, 2007 at 12:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

emeryhawk (anonymous) says...

I haven't seen him play, but I've been hearing a lot of Kobe Bryant comparisons thrown around in regards Henry. I guess he scores effortlessly. He'd be a great pick up, and we've got an excellent shot at getting him. As for Warren, he's changed his fovorites a million times already. Seems a tad indecisive. I'd be disappointed if we didn't end up getting him, but I agree that Self will put together a great class one with or without him.

May 28, 2007 at 12:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

madmangine (anonymous) says...

Its only a short while before Mr. Mangino starts bringing in football recruits of the same caliber as Mr. Henry. When this happens, and I assure you it will, watch out Longhorns.

May 28, 2007 at 1:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

Give me a break. I hope you're right about Mangino, but if you're a five-star recruit why in the world would you choose KU over Texas, Nebraska, USC, etc.? Because of Mangino's sparkling personality? It's much easier to turn things around in basketball than in football.

As for Henry, I'm not encouraged by the fact that his dad says Memphis is just like Kansas. That's sacrilegious, coming from a former KU player.

May 28, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Chicago_JHawk (anonymous) says...

Regarding Carl Henry's comment that Memphis is just like Kansas, take the entire quote into account. Obviously, he's comparing Self's and Calipari's ability to develop a player to be NBA ready, which is the goal. He'd be here for a year or two before leaving, anyway (not that I don't want to see him in a KU uniform for that year or two).

May 28, 2007 at 7:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

madmangine (anonymous) says...

Actorman

That kind of attitude is exactly what needs to be changed before we can bring in a 5 star. Please help us..... Be the change you want seen.

Hail Mangino

May 28, 2007 at 8:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tdub (anonymous) says...

FYI: Anyone else notice Tyrel Reed won the state title in long jump last week? I don't recall the exact distance, but it was over 20 ft. Just a little nugget for those that still question his athleticism.

May 28, 2007 at 8:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

argentinehawk (anonymous) says...

I agree with you totally tdub. There is just something about this kid that's got me excited!!!! He just seems like a smart bball player, and imo, KU has lacked that since Kirk left. Kirk wasn't the most heavly recruited player in the nation when he came out, and look how he turned out, maybe one of the best to ever wear a KU uniform.

And as far a Henry goes, yeah, I hope we get him too, and I believe Coach Self is a way BETTER coach than Calipari. Calipari has bacically coached for midmajors and in midmajor leagues!!! ku champions in 2007-2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 28, 2007 at 8:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tdub (anonymous) says...

After a little searching, it was 22' 5 1/4". And he also missed out winning the 400m by about .3 sec. Had to settle for 2nd in that one.

May 28, 2007 at 8:40 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean (Alan Halvorsen) says...

You're right Madmangine it will only take time...actorman, there is nothing to turn around in basketball.
Football First.

May 28, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

madmangine (anonymous) says...

The sound vibration of "football first" makes my heart sing.

Thank you brother Jimmy Dean

May 28, 2007 at 9:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

horsedonpilot (anonymous) says...

Football First

May 28, 2007 at 9:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kcmostwanted (anonymous) says...

I have a feeling Willie Warren is going to end up at Kentucky... From Tx, to WV and now he's just as close to Billie G. ...But i'll still keep my fingers crossed for Willie and Travis.. hopefully they both decide to come to KU...

and regarding the "Memphis is just like KU" quote.. i agree w/ ChicagoJ_hawk..Also, Memphis plays that fast paste game that Xavier wants to play (as we've all read his quote in the past) + i'm pretty sure deep down inside Carl wants his son to be a JayHawk but then it wouldn't be right for him to come straight out and say "My son is going to KU"...He's just being a good father and letting his son make his own decisions in life.. Let's just hope Henry makes the right one and comes to KU...

May 28, 2007 at 11:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

filmhawk (anonymous) says...

i'm so sick of jay bilas. who died and made him john wooden? wtf? why is he having private workouts with the players? is he trying to coach them? is he just getting inside info for his pre-draft "player rankings"? i'm sure that he's going to go to a sponsored event with paid players, and he's going to come out of the workout and say - "well, brandon wright has a lot of flaws in his game," and "if durrant can't become more efficiant in his 1/2 court shot, he's going to struggle at the next level."
bilas is a tool!

May 29, 2007 at 7:23 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

TrueBlue92 (anonymous) says...

KU is not the same as ANY mid-major; please check the article about schedule strength next year.

Memphis will walk through their conference (which is a only a shadow of it's former mid-majorness now) every year, so give them 25 wins and a top four seed via ESPN marketing.

But no championship, sorry Coach Cal. Love ya like a Jayhawk, treat you like a Tiger.

May 29, 2007 at 8:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

If you look close at Warren's list, it changes based primarily on schools that look like they will need wing players. Next year (Fall 08) Marquette will likely be without its top wing guys, as will Texas and Kentucky. UConn was hurting for personnel last year, so you may see them slip out of that list. I think Kansas will bounce back into his top 5 if we lose some wing guys after this season (more than likely).

I like everything that I have read about Henry so far, but I am impressed with the comparisons and especially the talk about his mid range game. We have traditionally done well in Oklahoma with recruiting lately. Hopefully that continues.

I like the talk about Rotnei Clarke, but I still am unsure how he fits with Reed, Morningstar and maybe Sherron already on the squad (mostly because that's an overload of small guards). You can only really give minutes to three small guards at a time (hence why Case and Morningstar can't crack the lineup) for defensive matchup purposes, so I'm not sure where he fits yet (unless Sherron bolts after two, which I don't think will happen right now).

We could also use one of those 6-9 guys. We need some bulk because after this year there's no Darnell, no Sasha and maybe no Darrell. That's a big void. Heck, we may need both of those big guys.

May 29, 2007 at 8:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

milehighhawker (anonymous) says...

We will end up with some big guys. Last week I updated the class that I am hearing from friends in the AAU circuit but it has changed a lot within just a week. It seems Self's buddy Billy G, is making a push for some of the players we have targeted. Unfortunely he has the same ideas of recruiting that self does and is going for a lot of the same players. Don't be suprised to see him slip in and steal Warren or even Osby. I was pretty solid on Osby last week but now it seems we are tied with Kentucky and Louisville. It seems people are starting to get a look at this guy and seeing something they like. He is sort of a poor mans julian wright with a more developed body. I really hope we land him, he is underrated I hear. I still think Liggins and Releford end up in a hawks uniform. We have a great shot at Monroe, I think if Arthur is leaning towards leaving after this year we will land him.

May 29, 2007 at 11:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkman1031 (anonymous) says...

Dear Xavier,

I was around when your dad, a sweet, pure-shooting player was Hawking for KU. I have been waiting for the offspring of Jayhawks like Carl to emerge. I have been waiting for you.

-Jayhawk Fan

May 30, 2007 at 3:25 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Re: Xavier Henry. As Kansas guys, most of us do care greatly about what our father did before us. I.e. surely at some point in time all of us have pondered, "when dad was my age, what was he doing?" It is only a matter of time before Henry realizes that his father, Carl Henry, a favorite of mine as a kid, was a true Jayhawk through and through -- just like Wilt Chamberlain and just like Lawrence's favorite professor at KU for 41 years, the inventor of basketball, James Naismith, whose biggest recruit at KU was "the world's best goal thrower", Phog Allen. The place wreaks basketball greatness. Wilt, Naismith and Car Henry's energy still flow into every basketball player wearing a Kansas jersey that steps on Naismith court, "The House that Wilt Built". It is only a matter of time before Xavier goes to a BIG KU game (not an AAU type tournament) at Allen Field House and finds out what we all know and have known since the first time we entered that barn. Memphis, though it does have the world's best BBQ and Graceland -- has no Allen Fieldhouse. In terms of a basketball haven, fans and all, Memphis is nothing close to KU. Calipari is a great coach and, as Jayhawks, we should all be proud of his success, but the only thing "KU" Xavier Henry would get in Memphis is his head coach. And statistically, scouts and NBA types who influence scouts would see him on ESPN about 10 percent of the time they would see him as a Jayhawk. Which means, higher draft spot, much bigger shoe contract signing bonus (which you can access directly out of college) etc. Next winter, Xavier surely will experience the Phog for himself and see what it can do for his family, our fans and his future...

May 31, 2007 at 12:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Memphis has the world's best BBQ? At the risk of sounding like a homer/contrarian, KC is (has), by far, the best overall BBQ in the world!

Whether you like smoked meats, marinating sauces, glazes and toppers or some combination thereof, KC is the place to be. Everyplace else is just purely derivative.

May 31, 2007 at 4:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Gates and KC Masterpiece are tough to beat. Regardless, the point is -- even though I'm a fan of Memphis, Xavier will surely see the bigger picture soon enough once he visits Allen for a real game and soaks in the glow of what his father enjoyed for many years and realizes it could be his too. College basketball is about gameday and it will take him some of next year to realize it's not about who has the best "weightlifting facilities" etc (although KU's is 2nd to almost no one). It's about gameday. The campus. The fans. The tradition. For the big stars, it's also about exposure. It's about rising to the occasion on ESPN. Memphis just can't offer what Kansas can on these terms. Surely he's wise enough what a place like Allen can do for his basketball soul and for his future. However, your BBQ point is logically sound -- maybe that could be a good tactic for Self's recruiting visit -- have the cheerleaders hand deliver Xavier some Gates throughout the game.

May 31, 2007 at 11:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

100, I like how you think and your points about the atmosphere and exposure are spot-on! Xavier should (SHOULD) come around to the correct decision on his own... if not, your idea regarding the cheerleaders and BBQ sauce must be the next course of action.

(btw- it is also pretty close to one of my secret fantasies... shhhh*)

June 1, 2007 at 8:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )