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Henry picks Memphis over KU

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November 18, 2008

Xavier Henry, a 6-foot-6 senior guard from Putnam City (Okla.) High, has decided to play college basketball at the University of Memphis, he announced on ESPN News Tuesday morning.

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TheMiracles (anonymous) says...

Is that a red KU hat that he had in his left hand?

November 18, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawk316 (anonymous) says...

Some of our passionate KU fans may give X a hard time about his decision, but as one who greatly values the importance of family, I commend him for his choice (of course, I'm taking him at his word concerning the reason for his final choice). My wife and I drove many miles and spent much time and money traveling out of state to see my son play football in college. How nice it will be for Mr. and Mrs. Henry to be able see both of their sons play at one school. I wish them the best. And Jayhawk fans, do not fear. Our cupboard will be VERY full.

November 18, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nnelson (Nick Nelson) says...

Yeah it was a red KU hat. I'm guessing they had him hold them both so the crowd there didn't know what was coming.

November 18, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

lalawguy (anonymous) says...

So can we finally stop talking about him now ? Honestly, it was clear to me that Henry was going to Memphis the day his brother showed interest in playing there.

November 18, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

dccox7 (anonymous) says...

hahaha!! we took your boy!

November 18, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TheMiracles (anonymous) says...

hahaha!!!! We took the trophy!!!! National Champs 2008!!!!

November 18, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

Wow.....#1 This one hurts. Now i really wanna meet Memphis again this year in NCAA tourney... #2 X will become a good NBA player but when he is old he is going to regret his choice.

November 18, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

yo dccox7you can take our boys as long as you can keep giving us the NCAA Championships...haha... Take that....

November 18, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

If he really wanted to play with his brother so bad (he sounded remarkably sad about his decision "well, my parents are OK with my decision"), he should have had CJ transfer to KU. Obviously, family ties are important -- but what a mistake, in terms of his NBA development. Sounds like a Memphis booster ran into him just in time. Best of luck, X. You can just feel Carl's fatherly jubilation mixed with his knowledgeable sadness. Oh well, Carl will always be a legend at KU, spiritually hanging in the Phog with another fabulous #13...

November 18, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

CBaller13 (anonymous) says...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a_wW6... we go -- willie warren dunk clipthis makes me feel a little better today

November 18, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sdoyel (anonymous) says...

Well, attending Memphis you know his chances of graduating are pretty close to ZERO. :)Memphis is the new Cincinnati.

November 18, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

tpeck1021 (anonymous) says...

What happened to spring? Mempi$$ im guessing

November 18, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

B60 (anonymous) says...

I don't see that any one and done types will select KU Coach Self makes them learn how to play the game. His freshman have to learn. They are players when they are sophmores. If you are a one and done you want somebody that just lets you play however you want.

November 18, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Nice clip. Since Memphis is already being investigated by the NCAA, it seems like a bad time for Xavier to take money. But maybe your right. I guess he hasn't officially signed paperwork yet, so, if Calipari forgot to mention to X that he's being investigated, and taking money from a booster would surely be caught -- he still has time to switch his allegiance. Yes, KU will not pay you money X. But since you are already feeling guilty (and obviously not happy judging from your video), why not take another moment to ponder "what the he*l" you are doing to yourself before you sign that paperwork. translation: 1. if you've taken money from Cal or any of his buddies, you will be caught by the NCAA. 2. It's not too late to back out -- a verbal isn't binding. 3. We still want you at KU (even though you got seriously dunked on) 4. Your brother backed out from an oral commitment (at KU). 5. You can do the same (to Memphis). 6. There's no place like home, aka Allen Fieldhouse -- don't sign that document. Just like your mom & dad, you were always meant to be on the good side of the force -- you were always destined for greatness. You were always meant to be a Jayhawk. Don't let a little money (and family gulilt) sway you from your destiny -- don't sign that document, it will be the worst mistake of your life.

November 18, 2008 at 5 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kdurham07 (anonymous) says...

Not really surprised.......

November 18, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

memhawk (anonymous) says...

Tune in to tonight's game.Wait...is that a National Championship banner being unfurled at Allen Fieldhouse? Why yes it is. Look around...aren't there other such banners hanging in the building? Why yes there are.I guess I never noticed the banners at the Elna Roane Fieldhouse, The Coliseum, The Pyramid (Tomb of Doom) and at the FedEx Forum! They do have the "runners-up" banner from that UCLA-Memphis game when UCLA won with Bill Walton and now the "runners-up" banner from last year's championship game. For those with short term memory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaIOVx...

November 18, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cdibo (anonymous) says...

What a bunch of oversized cry babies. You are 0 for 2 in signing top recruits in the last 7 days aren`t you boys. It`s only going to get worse. Cheek will head to `Nova and Wall to Memphis, N.C.State or Baylor. You praised both Henry and Snaer before they signed with someone else, now you act like a bunch of cry babies. I guess they saw you for what you are, a bunch of phonies. You sit here and rip FSU and Memphis and all they did was out recruit you.You can sit here and make excuses all day long but the truth is, you`ve been rejected. Maybe your program is not all you make it out to be. You might want to make Late Night a little better, obviously it`s not all that. By the way, there`s a one star player in town you might be able to sign. That is unless he`s been on this site to see how much you cry.

November 18, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

Cdibo: we want X more than you guys do -- he's meant to be a Jayhawk. As for recruiting, paying a kid money is not recruiting -- it's cheating. As for crying, what were you doing April 7, 2008? That's what I thought. That's the same thing X will be doing if he signs his life away at that place. Turn back X. Your brother did. So can you. We need you.

November 18, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

cdibo (anonymous) says...

100: I`m sorry I didn`t know we were in the hunt for X. Last 2 teams I saw in the running were Kansas and Memphis. Now your saying Memphis paid for his services. Like you really have a clue. I guess that excuse is as good as any. Like I said, cry babies. Personally, I have no use for FSU and especially Memphis but, I will give credit where credit is due, both schools out recruited you. With that being said, we`re going to drop the hammer on you this season. Go VOLS!!

November 18, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Strikewso (anonymous) says...

At least it is over finally! Now we can go after Wall or Cheeks and not have to worry about this drama. I think it's a mistake but he is one and done anyway, we may be better off with a longer-term commitment.I am glad I didn't waste a lot of typing about this guy like the rest of you.

November 18, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KevinC (anonymous) says...

How devoid of a life do you have to be, to be trolling on the website of a school your team won't face for a month and a half?

November 18, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

memphis must have found a booster to get to him. hes 2 seasonds from playing anytime with his brother.. also whos going to make you work harder m or ku? does m play defense with the energy of ku? he,ll just get by for a year and go pro. yep hes lazy and won.t put out like ku,s team would demand.

November 18, 2008 at 8 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BannerforKirk (anonymous) says...

Hey - how about we not act like Mizzou fans around here? Or Phog.net fans? How about those ideas? Xavier chose another school. Good for him. The odds of them getting a NC before KU gets another are really pretty low - we all recognize that. People who choose another school are free to do so. We'll, obviously think that they're wrong (and recent history has to make you think that - which coach do you want in the last 2 minutes of a game?). We wanted him, he chose to go play with his brother (understandable) and now lets get over it. We lost recruits the last 3-4 years and still got our NC, good for us.Plus, we have our own history of violations, we shouldn't be playing the who did what to get whom game. It's not healthy for any of us. Instead, let's just look at those 5 banners hanging in the Fieldhouse, remember watching Memphis cry at the end of last year and enjoy the ride that this young, super talented team is going to give us the rest of the year!

November 18, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says...

This sums up what I believe about X choosing Memphis...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz5DkTF2RW8

November 18, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

100 (anonymous) says...

cdibo: you are a poser. You are a Memphis fan. You know nothing of Tennessee basketball. Has X signed yet? Get back with us and brag after he signs. If he's changed his mind 100 times already, and he hasnt signed anything, he's not officially a Tiger yet is he?

November 18, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

oregonjhawk (anonymous) says...

Did dude just say, Go Vols?? Buddy, this is a MENS basketball forum.......

November 18, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

reaper187 (anonymous) says...

john wall will also sign with memphis .......100 x did sign his letter of intent today ,so its a done deal . what happen to im gonna sign in the spring ? ill tell you what happen . This past weekend WALL and CHEEK took visits to memphis . It was said CHEEK like his visit so much he was ready to pull the trigger . X gets word of this and beat Cheek to the punch . also did you know jayhawks and memphis will lock up in 2009 reg. season.

November 18, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TIGERS_R_BACK (anonymous) says...

First I must say what some have said quite intelligently and in different ways, ku beat memphis in the nc game. Bottom line, no bones, no excuses, no whining. Fact is, this IS a new experience for U of M. I know the tradition of winning has been around longer for the Jayhawks. It was very hard seeing "the shot" go in. We as alumni of UM are new to this experience. Chalmers is a heck of a player make no mistake, but it was a very tough and somewhat lucky shot. It should have NEVER come to that. Missed ft, TO and no foul etc. With all this being said, I must correct some things:1. For all the Calipari haters- he is a product of YOUR school at the start of his career.2. Henry signs with Kansas- all fans of KU would be singing the praise of Bill Self for getting him.3. biggie is an idiot, not a representation of the Blue Crew4. We lost, Kansas won- you know you guys were sweating as many bullets as Memphis fans were?5. One and Dones do help the program- it raises money from ticket sales, donations etc for the university programs as well as sports.6. The "dribble drive offense" works, we ALMOST won the NC and destroyed Texas, Michigan State etc.... I know before you post it almost!7. Memphis has the #1 ranked Non-conference schedule in the country. Again, before any responses, we can't help the conference- we have tried to get into the Big East ever since UL and Cincy left- see the next point.....8. Our conference has not always sucked......Cincy , Louis. have been very good for awhile, they just jumped ship quicker, those bastards.9. Memphis defense was ranked top few in the country, NEVER do we play zone, always intense, creates fast breaks.10. Kansas will continue to be good for years- you have a formula that works for you, Memphis is a rising program and will challenge for the NC for the next few years. We are riding this wave!11. The 08 NC game was one of the best ever! Never a dull moment.12. Memphis' class now is top 10, possibly 5. Not all the recruits will be 1 and done.Congrats again KU, I still don't like you for winning, but oh well. I do cheer for Arthur since he now is a Grizzly. Hope we get another chance to show we belong "in the club".

November 18, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

HawkTawk (anonymous) says...

Well said tigers_r_Back...

November 18, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TIGERS_R_BACK (anonymous) says...

Also, I forgot to mention, all the pundits are saying that the "weak" CUSA will have 3 possibly 4 NCAA tournament teams this year. Not to bad. By the way, in all seriousness, who is good from the Big 12 this year? We get no coverage locally, so other than KU, Texas, and Blake Griffin from OU, I really don't think anyone else is any good. Just curious.

November 18, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Wooleybooly (anonymous) says...

He used a hat to tell the audience who he was picking? That is quite possibly one of the most original ways to show your university of choice. I'm glad they have video posted because I had heard he might do that and it was pretty cool to see someone pull it off. Also, I liked that razzle dazzle with the 2 hats from the 2 possible schools. I had no idea who he would choose until he actually put the hat on his head. The suspense was killing me. I'm glad that he didn't accidentally put on the wrong hat, what with all of the pressure of having to put a hat on your head with the cameras around.

November 19, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LakeShawnee (anonymous) says...

Yes, tigers_r_back, well said indeed.

November 19, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LakeShawnee (anonymous) says...

Oh, tigers_r_back, i think that Baylor will be very good this year as well. Don't forget that Texas, Oklahoma and we Jayhawks get plenty of national attention because all three schools compete for Final Four appearances. The Big-XII should get 6 maybe 7 invites to the Big Dance. It really depends on how much the South beats up on one another but you'd like to believe that all of the South teams except Texas Tech will get invited. Include Kansas and there is your 6. The North is extremely weak, which makes me believe that KU has a very legitimate shot of winning the conference regular season title (from simple mathematics), so I wouldn't bet on any North team except Kansas receiving a bid. If I were to guess at a second North team, I'd guess Nebraska, but again, it will most likely come from a mathematical standpoint on number of in-conference wins (because of the weak North this year). Night in and night out, the Big-XII is a very difficult conference to play in. All three of the National Champion's losses were in-conference last year.

November 19, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

oceanvger55 (anonymous) says...

OH for those tigger fans who are having denial and memory problems....rock chalk jayhawks go ku, only team players win....national ncaa basketball championships!

November 19, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

oceanvger55 (anonymous) says...

Oh MAY I add.....Rose was a hot item too, but ...well we know what happened.See other comment.

November 19, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Tom1gun (anonymous) says...

Like you said...give credit where credit is due. We beat the $#!% out of you! Go Jayhawks!

November 19, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BALLER381 (anonymous) says...

If Davidson had hit the 3 and Memphis would have made only 1 free throw in 2:19 seconds which means they gave us the championship...this whole conversation would be different...Im going to tell everyone why some of the top kids go elsewhere like Memphis..KU gets the kids that cant go to the NBA in 1 or 2 years...Memphis can go to henry or tyreke evans and say "rose wasn't a first team all american, he didnt lead his team in scoring, rebounding ect...but he was the first pick why??? because he taught him how to be a good NBA player like it or not he can sell that...and make them believe he can get them on that same path...plus he has the fed-ex forum (not a college gym) to make their eyes pop out...the NBA is there so they will get looked at by GM's...cal had a close relationship with jerry west when he was the GM of the Grizzlies im sure...Cal has relationships and can pull strings and Bill doesn't period...its all about the hype and Memphis sells that...kids want to play for winners and no team has won more games in the past 3 years than Memphis...and with Rod Strickland ex all-star guard as a asssistant coach...and Penny Hardaway behind the scenes those kids listen...who do we have to show our star power danny manning, wilt chamberlin,...they can go to Beale Street or Elvis Presley house when they have family or friends come to town what do we have??? exactly my point...so let's not get mad hey we get our share of second and third stringers....

November 19, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

BALLER381 (anonymous) says...

Hey KU fans stop acting like a bunch of cry babies...no one is being paid ect...hey we got out recruited plain and simple we get some we lose some...heck you dont see Duke, North Carolina, or UCLA crying all the time...dang its depressing...let's act like adults here for once...no need to talk about another city or team since no of you here dont have a clue what the heck your lieing about anyway so just stop it...your embarresing KU...yea we wanted henry no doubt so hey good luck to him...and the other kids that choose to go somewhere else...and thanks to the kids that come here...now stop acting like babies

November 19, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TheMiracles (anonymous) says...

Baller381, 2 words: National Champions.

November 21, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kujayhawks12 (anonymous) says...

bill self is a great coach who doesnt need blue chip players to winhe could coach just about anyone and get the best out of themo ya national champsand anyone who doesnt want to play for ku i dont want playing for us because it is one of the greatest athletic privaliges someone can earn

November 22, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

kjohnson (anonymous) says...

I used to believe it would be great to have the sons of former KU basketball stars come to KU. But, C. J. Giles certainly caused me to rethink that premise. X. Henry will undoubtedly be a one-and-doner, and his brother is a flip-flopper. So neither match up to the standards of their Dad anyway. So, good riddance.Besides that, who would want players that would rather be in Memphis than Lawrence? You certainly have to question their judgment.

November 23, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )