Even if he didn’t rise so quickly, see the floor so clearly, shoot with such a soft touch and create shots for himself and others so skillfully, Xavier Henry would be the sort of young man any college would love to have enrolled in school. His demeanor and words are so upbeat. He takes his work far more seriously than he takes himself. His game is so mature, so humble, and those same qualities shine through in a one-on-one interview setting.
A Class of 2009 basketball prospect from Putnam City High in Oklahoma, Henry is well aware of the traps a teenager can fall into when adults are fawning over his every move.
“You’ll see some guys start to think they are the best player ever,” Henry said. “They start acting crazy, become hard-headed and don’t listen to anybody. I’ve played with a couple of guys who have gotten big heads, and they don’t listen.”
A coach’s son can either become selfish because his father spoils him by building the team around him, or he can, out of love for his father, become the team’s most coachable player, wanting to make his father’s job easier. Xavier Henry falls into the latter category. He is a Triple Crown-winner of a recruit in that he’s low maintenance, high character and a phenomenal talent.
“He’s very coachable,” answered former Kansas University basketball player Carl Henry, when asked what makes him most proud. “You tell him what to do, and he executes it. Sometimes it might be something different from what you told him to do, but it still ends up being the right thing to do.”
In other words, he has terrific instincts. His love of the game is obvious from how often he smiles on the court. The sport itself gets him up for games, regardless of the quality of the competition.
“People have always said that about me smiling, ever since I was little,” he said. “I don’t even know I’m doing it.”
Henry reiterated Kansas, North Carolina and Memphis appeal to him the most. He also said Texas, Louisiville, Ohio State and Florida interest him.
Henry’s mother, the former Barbara Adkins, also played basketball at KU. It’s looking good for Kansas, but Henry said he wouldn’t decide until the summer of 2008. His brother, C.J., chose Kansas, but opted to sign a contract with the New York Yankees.
“He kind of knows his way around here,” Carl said of Xavier. “If he’s anything like my other son, in the end he’ll end up picking Kansas.”
A 6-foot-6 lefty who plays under control and with natural explosiveness, Henry mentioned three NBA players when asked to name those after whom he patterns his game.
“LeBron (James) for his quick first step,” he said. “Kobe (Bryant) for his shooting and scoring, and (Los Angeles Clippers guard) Cuttino Mobley because he plays nice defense.”
Henry easily is talented enough to land his father a coaching job in one of those (wink, wink) amazing coincidences. No thanks, said Carl, a truck driver who also has scouted for the Dallas Mavericks.
“I don’t want any gray hairs on this head,” he said. “I admire Danny Manning and Bill Self for what they go through. People only see the front side of what they do. They have very tough jobs. I would enjoy it more sitting in the stands and watching.”
It’s easy to enjoy watching Xavier Henry enjoy himself playing basketball.
