Henry brothers in no hurry

By Gary Bedore     Apr 3, 2009

There was no family meeting at the Henry household on Thursday night in Oklahoma City.

“He got delayed at the airport by bad weather,” University of Memphis freshman walk-on guard C.J. Henry said of brother Xavier, Rivals.com’s No. 3-rated high school player out of Putnam City High. Xavier played in the McDonald’s All-America game Wednesday night in Miami, with plans to head home Thursday morning.

C.J. and Xavier originally had hoped to meet with their parents to discuss their college options now that former Memphis coach John Calipari has moved on to the University of Kentucky.

Xavier signed a letter of intent with Memphis last November; C.J. took a red shirt this season — because of various injuries — at the Conference USA school.

“Maybe tomorrow, or over the weekend,” C.J., said, asked when the family will meet.

He said he didn’t think there’d be news of any kind to report before Sunday or Monday.

C.J. Henry, who orally committed to play at KU his senior year of high school before signing a pro contract with the New York Yankees, said the Henry brothers may or may not wind up at the same school.

“It’s still up in the air. We might stay here (Memphis). I don’t know. I’ll wait and see who they get (as next coach),” C.J. Henry said. “I’ve heard a few names. Both of us might be coming to Memphis. It depends what coach they bring in. I don’t know right now. We might end up at different schools. One situation might be best for me. One might be best for him. Or we could be together.”

Both could consider Kansas.

“Yes. I mean, it’s another school that is high on both of our lists. We will look at every school,” C.J. said.

That includes Calipari’s new school, Kentucky.

“Yes because I came here to play for coach Calipari, and my brother signed with coach Calipari. I’m sure we’ll talk about that,” C.J. Henry said.

C.J. Henry said he had not spoken with KU coach Bill Self about what he and/or his brother might do. He has talked to little brother, Xavier, a bit, however.

“It’s up in the air. He’s open to anybody,” C.J. said. “He just said he will open it up. He may end up at Duke,” he added, laughing.

Xavier told reporters after the McDonald’s game that he likely would make a campus visit to Kentucky and another to KU before finalizing his decision. He also said he would not be attending Memphis.

C.J., who was in Memphis Thursday night, said he’d try to return to Okie City for the family get-together today or Saturday.

“There’s no timetable. We just want to make the right decision,” C.J. Henry said.

It has been speculated 6-foot-3 combo guard C.J. Henry may want to wait to see whether Sherron Collins returns to KU for his senior season before possibly committing to the Jayhawks. C.J. said he’s looking for playing time next year.

“It will probably factor in. We’ll talk about it when we analyze every school,” said C.J., who believes he will not be required to sit out a year if he transfers to another school because of an NCAA loophole. “I want to play next year.”

Notes:

Stephenson update

The New York Daily News on Thursday reported that Xavier Henry is the reason Lance Stephenson remains undecided on a college. Sources close to Stephenson told the paper that KU prefers landing Henry over Stephenson.

A source told The Daily News it’s a “logical assumption” that KU’s pursuit of Henry made Stephenson postpone his commitment announcement (Tuesday) and take a stronger look at St.John’s.

There were reports on Kansas City radio station 810 Thursday that Stephenson is now upset at KU’s coaching staff with the possibility of him visiting Kansas State and/or Missouri.

A source close to Stephenson told Zagsblog.net that the player’s list of schools has not been expanded. His choices remain KU, St. John’s and Maryland. Zagsblog’s source said if Sherron Collins returns to school and Xavier Henry lands at Kansas, “they (Stephenson family) don’t know what they are getting into at Kansas (as far as playing time).”

Honors coming for Self

It’s the unofficial “Bill Self Appreciation Day” today in Detroit, site of the 2009 Final Four.

KU’s sixth-year coach this morning will receive the Henry Iba Award at the United States Basketball Writers breakfast at the Detroit Athletic Club. The Iba Award goes to the organization’s coach of the year.

Later in the morning, Self is the odds-on favorite to be named Associated Press national coach of the year. Winning the prestigious AP award would net Self a $50,000 bonus at KU. It’s one of the incentives in his 10-year contract that nets him $3 million per annum. He also netted $50,000 for directing his team to the Big 12 regular season crown.

Self also was named Big 12 coach of the year, Sporting News and Yahoo Sports coach of the year.

Hall of Fame

Eight individuals will be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame on Nov. 22 at the College Basketball Experience in KC. They are players Wayman Tisdale (Oklahoma), Magic Johnson (Michigan State), Larry Bird (Indiana State) and Travis Grant (Kentucky). Coaches to be inducted are Jud Heathcote (Michigan State) and Gene Bartow (Memphis State, UCLA, UAB). Bill Wall (executive director USA Basketball) and Walter Byers (NCAA director) also will be inducted.

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