While Kansas and Memphis battled for the NCAA Men's National Championship on Monday night, another conflict has been raging between the two basketball powers for more than a year.
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Kansas and Memphis are the leaders in the recruiting battle for Putnam City guard Xavier Henry.
"It makes me feel like I have two pretty good favorites,” said Henry, who averaged 25.8 points and 6.4 rebounds this season. "They both called me, and I told them I'm cheering for the team with blue in their jerseys.”
Henry, who is ranked as the No.2 player in the nation by Rivals.com and ESPN.com, has been considered a Kansas lean due to his family ties. His father, Carl, and his mother, Barbara, played basketball at Kansas. His brother, C.J. Henry, committed to the Jayhawks' basketball program before signing with the New York Yankees in baseball.
"I'm not 100 percent Kansas just because my family went there,” Xavier Henry said.
But the Jayhawks are definitely in contention.
"It's a big-time program,” said Henry of Kansas. "It seems fit for a good player to go there.”
While several signs point toward the two-time Oklahoman Super Five member heading to Lawrence, don't count out Memphis.
When the Putnam City standout talks of the Tigers, his eyes light up. And Memphis coach John Calipari was on the coaching staff at Kansas when Carl Henry was a standout for the Jayhawks in 1983 and 1984.
"It's like a family type atmosphere at Memphis,” Xavier Henry said. "It's more than just going to college. It seems like I'm going to stay with my cousin in Memphis and just playing basketball up there. That's what I love about Memphis, how tight it is.”
Henry, who noted that UCLA and Texas "have a shot” to land him, is unsure when he will make his final decision. He made it clear that it was unlikely Monday night's outcome would effect his decision.
"Unless I see a distinct weakness in a team, I don't think it will,” the 6-foot-6 junior said.
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Memphis would be good for him to go. CDR, Rose and Dozier are all off to the NBA. He can get some playing time pretty quick. I do wish he would go to a local school, though...OU or OSU or Tulsa or ORU. But I do understand the need to move away and be your own man...so good luck to him wherever he goes.
Dang people you can't hate on the kid for wanting to go out of state. It's his decision...he knows hes going to make millions playing basketball I'm pretty sure he wants to go somewhere where he will enjoy his self and his one or two college years. Good Job Henry...ohh by the way I did check that you tube clip out....so glad warren will be in Norman this fall
maybe Henry has good advisers who remember Johnathin Bluitt and the Amouse kid who went to mcguinness with the promise of the world who could barley make it to ORU AND NOWHERE RESPECTIVLY.......SHELDON WILLIAMS AT DUKE COMES TO MIND WHEN IT COMES TO IN-STATE DISSING ..WHO STILL WENT ON TO THE NBA..SO HENRY IS NOT A BANDWAGON JUMPER,,,,HE HAD REASONS TO GO TO K.U. BEFORE LAST NIGHT
Wow, a lot of hate for a guy from PC. If you're the #2 recruit in the country and want to head to a hoops program, then yeah in-state Oklahoma is not where you want to head. Of course it'd be nice to have him in state. For those haters there's a nice youtube of Willie Warren (current OU signee) dunking over Xavier's head... good times.
Obviously, Xavier, count me among those who could give a nonsensical crap about where you matriculate. It is obvious from a number of your statements you were not going to any state school for a number of months, so why the state's primary newspaper gives you any ink for your quotes befuddles me. Have a great day in Memphis or Lawrence...the quicker you leave the better....
Henry you will love The University of Kansas.....it is a 4.5 hour drive...but your first winter will be a long cold one....Rock Chalk 2008 NCAA National Champs Jayhawks....KU...KU...
Nice, sounds like my little cousin who just jumps on winning team bandwagons. I'll bet he's a big Patriots and Yankees fan. I'm surprised UNC isn't on his list, weren't they a final four team this year too?
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.