Originally published September 18, 2008 at 12:00a.m., updated September 18, 2008 at 02:27p.m.

Prep Henry to skip KU visit

By Gary Bedore

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Xavier Henry, who had planned to make an unofficial visit to Kansas University this weekend to attend a private dinner in which the 2007-08 Jayhawks receive their national championship rings, has decided to skip the trip.

That doesn't mean Rivals.com's No. 2-rated high school basketball player has soured on co-finalist KU, says Xavier's dad, Carl, KU's leading scorer in both the 1982-83 and '83-84 seasons.

"No. It doesn't mean anything. He's been to both schools. He knows all the coaches. He knows the players. He's decided to make one visit to both schools and then make a decision," Carl said of Xavier, a 6-foot-6 senior guard from Putnam City (Okla.) High who will play college ball at either KU or Memphis.

Xavier has been rehabbing knee and ankle injuries sustained playing AAU basketball for Oklahoma Athletes First last summer.

He should be fully healed by the time his senior season begins. Henry also should be committed to either KU or Memphis by then. Henry will visit KU for the Oct. 17 Late Night in the Phog and Memphis the following weekend, then wrap up the recruiting process.

"I'll be glad when it's over," Carl Henry said. "Once he decides, he'll have time to focus on what he has to do his senior year of high school."

Coaches from KU and Memphis last week made recruiting pitches during in-home visits.

"They came over to the house and visited with him. I think it's a tough decision between the two schools. He doesn't know what to do. He likes both schools," Carl said.

The fact Xavier's brother, C.J. Henry, joined the Memphis basketball team in late August after playing minor-league baseball the past four seasons, does not mean Xavier is headed to Memphis, Carl noted.

"He'll make his own decision," Carl said of Xavier. "It's like Kansas. I told him about the school and how much I like the school, but after that I left it up to him. It's his decision."

Two players will make official visits to KU this weekend.

John Wall, a 6-4 guard from Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., is considering KU, Baylor, Kentucky, Memphis, Oregon, North Carolina State and Oklahoma State. Wall is Rivals.com's No. 1-rated player.

Thomas Robinson, a 6-8 power forward from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., will visit Memphis on Oct. 4 and Southern California on Oct. 18. Robinson is Rivals.com's No. 17-ranked player.

NOTE: Daniel Orton, a 6-10, 260-pound senior center from Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City, told Rivals.com Thursday he'd be joining Wall and Robinson on KU's campus this weekend.

Orton, the No. 22 player in the Class of 2009, will visit Oklahoma on Sept. 27 and Kentucky on Oct. 10. He said he'll return to KU on an unofficial visit for the Oct. 17 Late Night in the Phog.

Comments

rockchalk80 (anonymous) says...

Maybe he didn't want to be here when Wall was here? Something about Memphis appeals to X Henry.... can't understand what Memphis has that attracts these kids --for ex: why would X's brother CJ go to Memphis? Yankees are paying, he could go anywhere.

September 18, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

afilmer (anonymous) says...

i wouldn't read anything into his decision to skip his visit. X knows what KU is.

we'd have ourselves a nice little back court with X and Wall.

September 18, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

I think depth is correct. Playing time means everything to an athlete intending to be a professional.

September 18, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Timmay97 (anonymous) says...

Here is my two cents. I can totally see why Xavier Henry would want to come to KU. Tradition, his father, and most of all a spot for him in the starting lineup. However, I'm sort of mystified with Wall. We are SO heavy at the guard position. Why would Wall even consider coming to KU. Granted, he would get the spot hands down, but what does that tell Taylor and the rest of the current hawks.

The one thing I love about KU is how they do recruit. We have guys that leave early, but not after one year. Some of these guys being recruited worry about the "team" atmosphere, which is Bill Self's style. They don't think their complete game can be showcased.

For the reason(s) above is why Memphis is in the picture. It's the way Calipari coaches. It's free, less team oriented. More one on one basketball. These recruits will be seen there.

Therefore, anyone who is NOT worried about Wall and Henry ending up in Memphis is foolish and crazy. As long as Calipari is there, Memphis is going to be a thorn to KU for a while in recruiting.

Here's hoping that I'm totally wrong and we get at least one of them (preferably Henry).

September 18, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

Cal was Carl's coach at KU. I've heard that Memphis also has some really sweet apartments for the BB team. If all X (or other elite players) are planning on is 1, maybe 2 years, then having a wonderful school and tradition doesn't seem like nearly as big of a deal to some starry eyed players.

That being said it is a bigger deal than they realize, and Coach Self will turn them into better ball players even in a couple years.

Rock Chalk

September 18, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

I can't stand John Calipari. People say, "Well why not? KU won the title over Memphis, what do you care?" The way he carried himself through the season, before the tournament and during the tournament is enough. How arrogant can you be? "Free throws are not important"....that whole thing couldn't have worked out better for people who don't like that individual. Especially a Kansas fan who doesn't like him.

No I don't know him personally so maybe I shouldn't have such a strong opinion about him, but those are the vibes I get from him.

Come to KU, Xavier, John, and Thomas.

September 18, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

I hope I'm wrong, but I think we lose out on both Henry and Wall. I mean, come on: C.J. is already at Memphis AND Wall's AAU coach has already been hired by Baylor!!! And we all know what the hiring of one's AAU coach means, right? (see Beasley and Walker cases as an examples)

September 18, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Chicago_JHawk (anonymous) says...

I think it's kind of lame to invite recruits to a private team dinner and ring ceremony. Leave that for players and family only. Don't use such a special event as a recruiting tool. Granted - this way the recruits will get to meet and talk to BRush, Mario, DA, Darnell, RR, etc about their experiences, which they wouldn't get a chance to do at Late Night, but the whole thing rubs me the wrong way.

September 18, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Chicago_JHawk ~ Don't you think those players and their parents would love to see the best recruits available come and play at KU? This just takes showing off the rings and trophies to another level. Not too many teams have the opportunity to invite recruits to private National Championship celebration dinners. If it's within the NCAA guidelines, the more power to us.

September 18, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BrockIII (anonymous) says...

This doesn't look good for us. There may still be a sliver of a chance, and I can never doubt Self's ability to reel in these guys, but I would be crossing my fingers and hoping Cheek is very interested in KU. It will not be the end of the world if KU cannot get Henry. It may be devastating though if we come up completely empty in the 2009 class.

September 18, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

stupidmichael (anonymous) says...

What's the flipping deal with Memphis?

Seriously, when did they become such a blue-chipper haven?

September 18, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

sdoyel (anonymous) says...

Memphis: Conference USA

There's your reason. These guys get to whoop up on borderline high school teams all season.... Who wouldn't want to play SMU twice a season?

September 18, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says...

This baffles me. Everyone is back to the panicking stages of whether we'll get the highest rated kids according to some websites. Who gives a damn? Self just won us a championship so the program is in good hands. No need to worry people. If Wall, Henry and Robinson come to KU then we will have a great opportunity to win another title. If they don't then we'll have a great opportunity to win another title.

September 18, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

Memphis gets kids because Calipari is one hell of a salesman. Just listen to any of his interviews with the national media. He's pretty damn slick.

Also, Memphis had better facilities and most b-ball players live in what amounts to a pimped out frat house.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_b...

September 18, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

cstevenday (anonymous) says...

LJW,

You have to be kidding me that you removed my comment earlier because I suggested a few Franklins may be passed around in West Tennessee!!! My opinion was not vulgar or rude, it was my opinion.

Shame on you for revoking my right to Free Speech.

Didn't you learn about that in your Journalism classes??

If you want to, remove the Money comment fine, but the rest of that comment was dead on and you know it!!

September 18, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

I'm shocked at how many people dont think we are going to get Xavier. He's a unique guy, he's not his older brother, and everything I read about his attitude suggests the unselfish, team-oriented atmosphere at Kansas is something he will like. The more people assume he's going to follow his brother to Memphis, the less likely that happens, imo. I think he only cancelled this trip because he probably figured that being there on an unofficial visit while the others are on official visits just doesn't make sense. He isn't going to be getting the full "guided tour", so why go?

I recently made a post of who I would most prefer we get, but I think we most likely get Xavier, Dom Cheek, and 2 post players... neither of which real high in the rankings. I hope I'm wrong and we land Robinson, but realistically, I'd be pleasantly surprised if we land a 5 star center or power forward.

September 18, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ku98 (anonymous) says...

Who cares... He can go to Memphis for all I care.
I have faith in Coach Self and I know he will have good recruiting classes for years to come. We don't need "one and done" players. We need guys like Brandon, Mario, Sherron, Darnell, Sasha, Russell, etc... who stick around for 3-4 years. That's how you win championships.
Xavier, "Thanks but no thanks!".

September 18, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

This is a good decision for Xavier to skip this ceremony. Its last year's glory, with a bunch of guys who are gone (all of the talk between teammates will be about mario and darrel's women in room bust). Keep it simple. Think about when you were a senior in high school -- there's a lot to do to finish up that degree.

So he's being fair to both schools and himself, and having one official visit. He's torn, and should be -- both are excellent basketball programs. Late nite is the best time to bring him in. That's where the fans can alter (or cement) his decision.

Even when Memphis was good last year, their arena was half full for most games -- it also depends on how much he likes to be on National TV. If he doesnt like the big stage (every single game), he should choose Memphis. Since he's trying to become NBA ready, I can't imagine he is shy from large crowds.

September 18, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bvrams (anonymous) says...

So how long into Late Night will it take for the Xavier Henry chant to start?

September 18, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

I'll say less than five minutes after he walks in, regardless of what is going on (unless of course it has to do with the national championship, but he should be seated before any of that takes place).

My other thought is that we won't get both Henry and Cheek as they could possibly play the same position. Could impact the decision of one or both of them.

September 18, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

ku98, i couldn't disagree more about "thanks but no thanks" to Xavier.

I do agree that we'll be successful no matter what with Self's recruiting, but no one will be saying "thanks but no thanks" when he's playing in AFH.

bmkjay, Henry knows he'll get to play no matter who else is around. Cheek would likely be commit before Henry anyway, but from this link I posted yesterday, I think he's happy with Self's ability to get him on the floor.

http://theshiver.com/2008/09/dominic-...

This paragraph in particular, along with the fact that he knows several of KU's current players...

"Coach Hurley added that the Kansas style of play and Coach's Self ability to play guys, no matter their perceived position, is attractive. At St. Anthony's, they already play a tough man to man pressure defense, which will do nothing but help Cheek play and get minutes at Kansas."

I do see major depth chart issues, but I'm sure someone would see the writing on the wall for '09 and transfer out.

September 18, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

http://theshiver.com/2008/09/john-wal...

""Dominic Cheek and Xavier Henry," said Wall. " It would be cool having those guys playing the two and with me. I like to get to the rack and so do they."

With Kansas heavily recruiting both Cheek and Henry, adding Wall to either of those two players, could put Kansas at the top of the recruiting rankings."

Why not?!!!! Maybe they'll all be sitting around at Late Night and say "let's just all come here together"

September 18, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

The prospect of KU having these fine gentlemen play on Wilt-Chamberlain-Danny-Manning-Naismith Court reminds me very much of the recruiting class of Brandon Rush, Julian Wright and Mario Chalmers, who also decided to suit up for national TV games twice a week during their stay in college, as opposed to playing lesser competition and bumping their scoring averages up 6 points a contest.

Something Wall said also makes a lot of sense, but you have to look at footage of Rose now (in the NBA) to see how true it is... Wall said, "I love the way Self teaches us NBA offenses, with lots of picks and rolls." Look at Rose on film -- there's plenty of sites to see it -- he's having an awfully hard time in the NBA with even simple screens. That's middle school stuff -- but apparently they don't teach it (much) at Memphis.

NBA aside, look at what Rose did last year -- every time another player came near him (to set an onball screen), he would motion them to scoot back and he'd drive to the hole for a shot or a pass, often, with great success -- but that was college, against, not even close to NBA competition (Memphis 2nd string in practice and Conference USA for games).

So look what Calipari did for Rose's long term game in pursuit of a national championship ring for Calipari -- he turned Rose into a single dimensional player that NBA defenders will rip apart until a good offensive coach gets his hands on him.

That's what these fab three have to look forward to if they would choose Memphis -- pretty much like playing AAU ball, no "real" offenses, no "different" sets, no "real" gameplanning, with little national exposure, and half empty arenas most nights. All because Calipari is good with words -- and he is -- he's the best used car salesman in the country (if you're 18 and don't know the difference between a good talker, and real results down the road).

After all is said and done, Late Night should be the difference for these three -- without words, the spirit of Lawrence, and basketball's creator and the big Dipper should transcend their souls --

"Rack Chalk Jayhawk" (rack, allusion to Wall's quotes about the 3 playing together)

September 18, 2008 at 3 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Just curious why my 2:47 p.m. comment was removed? That had to be a mistake.

September 18, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...

bmk - You can't copy/paste parts of stories directly from premium sites like Rivals.

September 18, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JJHAWK (anonymous) says...

Anyone know for certain how many scholarships Coach Self has to give?

September 18, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

bmkjayhawk (anonymous) says...

Got it. That's all I needed.

I second JJHAWK's question.

September 18, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lrahardja (anonymous) says...

X will still visit KU for late night, so he is cool, I don't see why he wants to follow his brother's foot step. These two brothers are very competitive to each other.

Like Brandon and Kareem, Brandon ends up winning a national championship because he went to KU. You can't win a national championship by loading talented freshmen when their heads are in NBA.

September 18, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Wall, Cheek and Henry for a back court.

Niiiiice.

I really read this differently than everyone else.

Here is what I see.

Wall, Cheek and Henry all want to come to KU, and together or separatetly, but they know they have to keep their options open in case Self decides he can't give them all scholies. Self may have to turn one or two of them down, if he can land some serious bigs. He's got enough guards to add any one of the three and be a serious ring contender. So: Self is driving this process, as he looks for bigs.

Think about it.

KU stands to have a seven footer in Aldrich, plus the Morris twins, plus Quintrell, plus one or two very good bigs coming next year; this is a freaking stacked front court that everyone of these guys would kill to play with.

Neither Memphis, nor Baylor can come anywhere close to matching KU's front court next year. I repeat: its not even close.

So: the real driver in all of this is when some of the bigs he wants are willing to commit. If they commit to Self soon--before Henry, Wall and Cheek get impatient and commit elsewhere--then Self picks picks the one or two of these three that he wants. If the bigs he wants go elsewhere, then Self takes all three of these guys and lives with the one and done consequences.

These guys learned from Beasely that you better get to the Final Four if you want to be a No. 1.

September 18, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ESUjayhawk (anonymous) says...

According to scout.com KU has not even offered a scholarship to Cheek yet... Is this true or false??? Anybody???

September 18, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

all we have to do it when X gets into the Allen Field house, is cross our hands and make "X" signs and yell X..X...X...X....X...X.....

I'm telling you it will work...

September 18, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

Did any of you notice that starting December 13th we almost have every single game on national television?...

Our whole big 12 schedule is split between ESPN and ABC...
wow..

September 18, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jerhawk (anonymous) says...

we need all of THEM!

September 18, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

flipborder02 (anonymous) says...

ESU we have offered Cheek. It should say it on rivals.

September 18, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

flipborder02 (anonymous) says...

jayhawkinatl if Wall was going to go to Baylor I think he would have already committed.

September 18, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kylecisnum1 (anonymous) says...

so beasley just got busted for being involved in the mario and arthur incident at the rookie convention. wouldnt surprise me if it was his pot they smelled and he was the one in the bathroom repeatedly flushing the toilet and then sneaking back to his room through the ceiling tile. thats my take but it wouldnt surprise me if its true! lol

September 18, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ESUjayhawk (anonymous) says...

thanks flip

September 18, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

RE: BEASLEY BUSTED.

Wow, that changes everything -- it seemed quite fishy before (busted with a smell coming from the bathroom which Darrel and Mario couldn't get into). Now we find out Beasley was in there -- and he is fined (FINALLY) $50,000. That's $30,000 more than Chalmers and Arthur.

In the ESPN story, it also goes onto make it quite apparent that Chalmers and Arthur said they "did not" take part and there was no drug paraphernalia found in the room (their room, which they had to leave immediately).

As any of us who have been to a party know, the "person" who is "not cooperating" with authorities is ALWAYS the person who is guilty. According to the NBA (and police), this person is/was/ will always be... Michael Beasley.

September 18, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KGphoto (anonymous) says...

I don't care who's involved or what story manifests itself. The facts are simple. No drugs found. No evidence anybody was doing drugs. As far as I'm concerned, it's just another opportunity for the NBA to embezzle from it's own employees teet.

Shameful behavior from the NBA. So far they've collected 90k from it's rookie class for having some girls in their room. Somehow we're supposed to believe that they're really guilty before proven guilty. Would you really fine these cash cows this much if the word marijuana wasn't included in the report. That's the NBA's slant. That's how they get away with their treatment of these rookies. It's embarrassing, and I wish Stern would grow a soul and let this stuff, at the very least, slide by with some internal coaching and wrist slapping. Drug use is omnipresent in the NBA and Stern knows it. Yet his hypocritical money grab, apparently has no boundaries.

September 19, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

reaper187 (anonymous) says...

I hate to be the bearer of bad news ,but Xavier will be a tiger . IF you use a little common sense you will see it too.If Kansas is where he really wanted to go he would have done it by now .This delay is simply a goodwill gesture to the jayhawks and his dad ! Ask yourself why would C.J ask for XAVIER blessing to attend MEMPHIS ,If XAVIER wasnt gonna be there ? Some of you talk about playing in a half empty arena . What you fail to mention is that the arena is a NBA arena .

September 21, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

lee3022 (anonymous) says...

wow - some good information here and some misconceptions as well.

KU has two scholarships for this class and Coach Self has said he is recruiting as if he will have more.

CJ Henry has chosen well because he is older and needs to start his pro basketball career ASAP.Memphis will allow him to get national attention and leave in one year. His choice to return to school this year a school that had a scholarship to give. Yes, he could be a walk-on but that does not get a player drafted in the NBA or even playing time in college.

Xavier may have another set of needs and wants. Tradition is more valuable now. Coaching and improvement and readiness for the NBA over a 2-3 year period means maximizing more than image. How many Memphis players are playing in the NBA? Here is my count: 1 plus rookies. No NBA team last year used the dribble drive offense from Memphis. All of them run pick and roll.

Reaper187 - delay has nothing to do with liking KU. These guys get really wooed once for college and maybe if they are really good once as a mature NBA player. Enjoy the opportunity.

KGPhoto - the reason the hotel security came to the Arthurs/Chamlers room was that the smoke detector went off. They were not cited by the NBA for drugs. They were cited for the women in their rooms. Beasley was fined much more because he lied about it and refused to cooperate. I am not an apologist for the NBA but the players were there to learn how to avoid exactly that situation.

September 23, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

msthompson37 (anonymous) says...

Him and his aloof ass brother can go wherever they want. KU will win with or without him...

September 23, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )