Carl Henry, the father of Oklahoma City (OK) Putnam City shooting guard Xavier Henry, says his son will likely decide between Kansas and Memphis this week.
“We are trying to get together today as a family and he’s trying to make a decision [this] week, either Thursday or Friday,” Carl said Sunday morning by phone.
The 6-foot-6 Henry is the No. 1 shooting guard in the Class of 2009.
Carl said he thinks his son “wants to go to Kansas” but is torn because his brother, C.J. Henry, plays for Memphis. C.J. recently underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot.
“I think the hardest [part] is his brother’s at Memphis,” Carl said. “I believe he wants to go to Kansas but then again with his brother at Memphis, he might want to go there also.”
Xavier will meet with his parents today to discuss both schools, and Carl said the parents will ask their son to write some down some pros and cons of each school.
“I can you tell I don’t know [where he’s going],” Carl said. “We don’t know because he’s different than our other son. He doesn’t even talk about it. We will do a little sit down where he writes down some stuff about each school. Then he picks the school.
“He can pick Kansas or Memphis, it doesn’t bother us one bit.”
Xavier Henry is recovering from injuries suffered during a car crash Oct. 22 in Oklahoma City that resulted in a fractured cheek bone.
“He’s doing good,” Carl said. “He’s goes to the doctor this Monday and Tuesday and we’ll know more. We believe he does have to wear a face-mask. All the swelling is down and everything is back to normal. He’s doing a lot better than they thought he would.”
KuFaithfull7386 / November 2, 2008
X, Do you want to play against great competition every week? Do you want to show your skills against this great competition? I think the answer is yes! Seal the deal, play in great competitive League, the Big 12. Choose Kansas!
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bigball / November 2, 2008
Adidas made the decision for him.Its Kansas or not Shoe Contract.Ncaa is the biggest JOKE Since the Trogan Horse.
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Adam Zagoria / November 2, 2008
Ah, that’s Trojan Horse there Bigball.
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ybbodeus / November 2, 2008
Sounds like KU may have a put a world of pressure on its alumnus (Carl) to re-open the previously settled shoe contract issue with regard to this son. (X had been securely in the Nike camp previously, no?). That move allowed Adidas to step in and do the university’s bidding financially. Once more, poor Memphis gets left at the alter by the rock-calkers, which looks twice as bad since the UofM’ers had switched from Adidas to Nike to show the Henry’s their love.
While all this is perfectly legal, I’m not sure how ethical it is. I’m reminded of Jack Warden in Used Cars exclaiming, “It used to be when you bought a politician, the son of a _____ stayed bought!”
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ybbodeus / November 2, 2008
Jack Warden had an even better line in Mighty Aphrodite about the Trojan Horse.
Since we can’t edit here, I meant to type “his” son and not “this” son.
As for the competition night in and night out, these kids don’t think that way, Brother Faithful. It’s “Which system showcases my talent best?”
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KuFaithfull7386 / November 2, 2008
ybbodeus, I disagree, if I were wanting to showcase my talent level, I would rather show it against other topnotch players. How else would you judge your level of play, How else would you expose your skills to those at the next level? Just my opinion though.
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ybbodeus / November 3, 2008
Don’t get me wrong, KU’er, your opinion makes complete sense when applied to the average to above average player. However, to THE PLAYER (aka “the one and dones”), it’s all about finding the right system to showcase your game for the next level. Going against the best players is actually secondary in that mindset. Besides, using your argument, the kid should go to the Big East, not the Big 12.
Using my argument, the kid should go to a mid-level or lesser team in the Big 12 (see Kansas State) or PAC 10 (see USC) to allow an entire system to revolve around you; those are just two examples. I can’t see Self doing that for Henry, though he might.
If Henry is more of the Kevin Love or Derrick Rose mold, he just might come to you after all….where he wants to be part of a great TEAM. I guess that’s why it’s down to you guys and Memphis.
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kc10ac / November 3, 2008
Memphis is scheduling Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, Tennessee, Gonzaga & Syracuse in ’09-’10 not to mention holiday and pre-season tounaments.
X, Do you want to play against great competition? Do you want to show your skills against this great competition? I think the answer is yes! KS fans, think twice before you suggest X should go to the school with the better competition.
Here’s the news about Memphis’ schedule so you can read it for yourself:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/oct/30/s30umcamp-103008/
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