DETROIT – While Xavier and C.J. Henry have received their releases from Memphis and are considering what to do next, DeMarcus Cousins is in a holding pattern, waiting to make his next move in the wake of Memphis naming Josh Pastner as its new head coach Monday.
Carl Henry has previously said that Xavier would like to go to Kansas, but it could depend on whether C.J. gets an NCAA waiver and is able to play immediately next year, as opposed to sitting out another year. If he does get an NCAA waiver to play immediately, the brothers could potentially play together at Kansas or Kentucky. If not, Xavier could go to Kansas or Kentucky and C.J. would remain at Memphis.
Carl said that as of Tuesday morning he hadn’t spoken with Pastner since the 31-year-old was named head coach Monday.
“I spoke to him a couple times trying to get the releases but I haven’t talked to him since he became head coach,” Carl said.
Asked if Xavier might want to stay and play for Pastner, an assistant under former Memphis coach John Calipari, Carl said: “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him. I”ll see him later today at practice. I’ll talk to him then.”
If Xavier does end up at Kansas or Kentucky, Brooklyn’s Lance Stephenson could go to either St. John’s or Maryland. Sources at St. John’s said they were hopeful but hadn’t heard anything definite as of yet.
As for the 6-10 Cousins, he orally committed to Memphis but didn’t sign.
Otis Hughley, Cousins’ high school coach at Mobile (Ala.) LeFlore, said Cousins was still huddling with his mother, who works on the weekends.
“I called and told him [Pastner was the new coach] and he was like, ‘For real?’ He was just surprised,” Hughley said Tuesday. “I’m sure it’s going to effect what he’s going to do.”
Just exactly what that is, Hughley doesn’t know. Cousins could remain at Memphis, follow Calipari to Kentucky (Cal has reached out to him) or pick another place, such as Alabama, Kansas State, N.C. State or Washington.
“He’s just deliberating with his mom and once they get together and decide,” Hughley said, “it’s gonna go fast.”
(Photo courtesy ESPN.com)
DocBean / April 7, 2009
Adam,
Is there truth to the rumor that Memphis has given Carl Henry a job in the program in order to keep the Henry duo?
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homertuck / April 7, 2009
You act like St. Johns is still in this for Stephenson. Dude, everyone knows he wants out of NY. It’s Kansas or Maryland.
And I’ve heard that Memphis is trying to work a shady deal to get Carl Henry a job there to keep both boys there. That is what sportingnews is reporting here:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=535834
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Adam Zagoria / April 7, 2009
By “everyone knows,” do you mean anonymous posters on messageboards who don’t talk to the parties involved?
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clapton100 / April 7, 2009
Adam, you really think St John’s is in the running for Lance when they’ve been there for him all along and he’s chosen to go elsewhere, but just got caught up in the coaching changes?
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Panblitz / April 7, 2009
Adam,
What is the situation with some of the lesser profile recruits from Memphis? Is there any truth to rumors that Will Coleman could also leave and potentially Pitt would get back into the picture with him? Or, do you think by hiring an assitant of Calipari’s Memphis has managed to keep these recruits? Is Dodson at Memphis to stay or could he end up elsewhere as well? It would stink for Memphis to lose all of their recruits and their current players, however, that is a risk you take when you hire a Coach like Calipari.
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lanceisahawk / April 7, 2009
Can you dispute Decourcy said that he has given Kansas the word and Lance is just waiting on his website to be cleared.
St Johns and Maryland wont get theses guys.
KU all the way baby.
If you want to win in this environment you have to lose your morals at the door.
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homertuck / April 7, 2009
If by “anonymous posters” you mean “Stephenson Sr.” then sure, that’s what I meant.
From Sports Illustrated:
Over the years, Stephenson’s father has mentioned the “hate” that New York fans have for their prodigies and the desire to relocate his son to a passionate fan base where the coach will be tough on him. If those words are to be interpreted as hints, both Maryland and Kansas would seem to be fits, and St. John’s would be out.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/the_bonus/03/27/lance.stephenson/1.html
How about from your OWN STORY smart guy?
And from Day One he has repeatedly said that he wants to get his son out of New York and that he wants to get away from the “hate” factor in New York.
“One thing we’re looking for is a place [different] from New York City,” Stretch told me a while back. “The approach going toward college is to find a nice place that’s excited about basketball but at the same time that’s cozy and secluded which is going to be tough to find.”
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/03/22/all-signs-point-to-lance-landing-at-kansas/
Next time, do a little research.
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DocBean / April 7, 2009
Decourcy says he has some source that is telling him that Henry has taken the job, and that Lance is waiting on the website, but that doesn’t mean anything.
I think his source, or he is full of it.
Henry has even said today that he hasn’t been offered the job, and if he were offered a job, he wouldn’t take it.
I’ve changed my mind about all of this and am now hoping that Xavier and CJ come to KU.
I think KU waiting on Lance’s website might just be a way they can put him off a bit to see what the Henry’s do. I just hope they won’t be stuck missing out on everyone. Then again, maybe they’ll miss both of these guys and Wall will come to KU, pushing Collins back to the SG position, which would be a good fit for him.
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Rockchalk12 / April 7, 2009
We can put to rest all these rumors about Carl Henry getting a job at Memphis…..
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/apr/07/carl-henry-disputes-report-hell-join-memphis-staff/?mens_basketball
Rivals.com is reporting the same
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