Two of the top recruits in the nation will decide between NCAA finalists Kansas and Memphis.
Thomas Robinson and Xavier Henry both took official visits this weekend to Memphis, and will decide between the Tigers and the Jayhawks.
Robinson, the No. 7 power forward in the Class of 2009, had previously visited Kansas Sept. 19-20 and was slated to visit Southern Cal Oct. 14, but said he won’t make that trip.
“I’m not taking any more visits,” the 6-foot-8 senior from Brewster (N.H.) Academy said Sunday night by phone.
Asked his thoughts on Kansas and Memphis, he said: “I feel very strongly about both schools. I’m gong to sit back and speak with my mother and my coach (Jason Smith of Brewster) and make my decision.”
As for the Memphis visit, Robinson added: “It was good. I enjoyed it. I got to learn more about the school, the staff and the players. Xavier Henry and Darnell Dodson were with me. We were hanging with the players and around the school and seeing the academics. We met with some of the people on the staff.”
Both Kansas coach Bill Self and Memphis coach John Calipari made home visits last week with Robinson’s mother, Lisa, in Washington, D.C.
Asked if he had a timetable, Robinson said: “No, I really don’t have a timetable. Whenever I feel like I’m ready.”
And what can he bring to his future school?
“I will help them win any way I can,” Robinson said. “I’m going to rebound, I’m going to play hard.”
Meantime, Henry, a 6-6 shooting guard from Oklahoma City (OK) Putnam City ranked No. 1 at his position in the Class, said he will also decide between Memphis and Kansas following his visit to KU for Late Night in the Phog Oct. 17.
“I cut it to Memphis and Kansas,” Henry told MyFoxMemphis in an interview you can see here.
Lance Stephenson of Brooklyn Lincoln and Dominic Cheek of St. Anthony of Jersey City are also expected to make officials that weekend. The list of expected recruits also includes Harrison Barnes, Elijah Johnson, Perry Ellis, Michael Snaer, Daniel Orton, Bradley Beal and Ray McCallum.
Henry also said he enjoyed his Memphis visit, where he got a chance to visit with his brother, C.J. Henry, who recently joined the basketball team.
“It’s been a good visit,” he told the Memphis Fox station. “I went around and saw campus. I got to hang out with my brother a lot so it’s been pretty good so far. I’m glad he’s here and he’s getting an opportunity to play again, but it’s not going to influence my decision. He tells me straight up. He tells me the truth, what he does like, what he doesn’t like. He doesn’t try to buttercoat it for me.”
Henry said his goal was to play in the NBA and emphasized that both schools could get him there.
“Just feeling comfortable wherever I’m at and (which is) my best shot at getting to the league and getting prepared,” he said.
Both Kansas and Memphis are also contending for point guard John Wall, a 6-4 senior from Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God Christian Academy.
Wall visited Kansas Sept. 19-20 and has yet to set visit dates for Memphis, Oregon and Baylor.
Asked if he had a sense for what Henry or Dodson, a 6-6 small forward from Miami Dade College who initially committed to Pitt but cannot attend because of a Big East rule, might do, Robinson said:
“I really can’t tell, but they both enjoyed their visits,” he said. “Xavier, he enjoyed it. He got to spend time with his brother (C.J. Henry) and his family. They’re both cool guys.”
magadog / October 6, 2008
Adam,
Not to nit pick, but Darnell Dodson cannot attend Pitt because of a Big East rule…he has no choice. It looks like Memphis will be the fortunate recipient from a Big East techincality.
Has anything else come up regarding Pitt’s recruitment of Scott, Cheek or Stephanson?
thanks.
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Adam Zagoria / October 6, 2008
Thanks, no new news on Pitt as far as I know. Durand Scott has a few visits scheduled — UCLA, Tennessee and Miami and Cheek is still picking his remaining officials.
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DAJayhawk / October 6, 2008
Adam
Thanks for your reply to the Darnell Dodson Post! I really appreciate the information! I have one more question for you if it is not a problem. Do you have any information on John Wall, X Henry and Robinson? Or can I ask your opinion on where you feel these three and Danial Orton will end up for there college carriers? Thank again Adam!
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Adam Zagoria / October 6, 2008
Not sure, but gun to my head I’d say:
Orton – Kentucky
Robinson – Kansas
Wall – Memphis or Baylor
Henry – Memphis
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SweedishHamma / October 7, 2008
Adam, do you think Kansas has a chance to land Henry after his visit to “Late Night”? Also, didn’t Wall recently list Kansas as the school to beat? Also, can you give a break down of Elijah Johnson? He is really high on KU apparently but is another raw PG. He’s a 4-star by rivals, but I’m not too high on him and almost hope he doesn’t take a scholarship that could go to another top level player. One last thing, do you think it is a matter of “who commits first” to KU between Orton and Robinson?
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tjc3844 / October 7, 2008
Hey AZ,
You stated
“Memphis gets Henry and Wall
Kansas get Robinson and Cheek”
Any more info you can provide on that? Or is that just a gut feeling?
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