By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
So much for the suspense.
It was widely reported that Putnam City (Oklahoma City, Okla.) guard Xavier Henry would delay his decision on where to spend at least one year of college until the spring. Instead, the 6-foot-6 southpaw will be walking in Memphis to play for John Calipari for the 2009-10 season after announcing his decision live on ESPN.
Regarded as the top player in the country by some recruiting services, Henry will follow in the footsteps of brother C.J. to suit up for the Tigers. C.J. was once considered a hot prospect on the baseball diamond after becoming in the 17th overall pick in the 2005 amateur baseball draft by the New York Yankees.
C.J. Henry averaged 26 points per game as a senior at Putnam City and originally planned on attending Kansas to play basketball, following in the footsteps of his father. Carl Henry played for the Jayhawks in the mid-1980s. C.J. plans to return to the Yankees organization following this season.
Xavier made headlines recently following a car accident that resulted in a jaw injury on Oct. 22 en route to an elementary school as part of a leadership program. Henry underwent surgery earlier in November and will miss 4-6 weeks for the Pirates, regarded as one of the top teams in Class 6A this season in Oklahoma. His injury was evident while making his announcement on television.
Henry averaged 25.8 points and 7.2 rebounds last season for the Pirates. Putnam City was shockingly upset in the first round of the state tournament losing to eventual champion Tulsa Memorial as Henry suffered from an injured wrist. In the 40-38 loss, Xavier was held to nine points.
As a freshman, the future Tiger was a major force in Putnam City winning the Class 6A state championship. Also on the roster was former Oklahoma player Keith Clark. During his sophomore season, the Pirates failed to qualify for the state tournament after spending the entire season as the nearly unanimous No. 1 in the state.
Henry is the sixth Oklahoman to sign a letter of intent to a Division I program during the early signing period. Kyle Hardrick – Xavier’s newest teammate at Putnam City – inked his letter of intent with Oklahoma after transferring from Norman. Bishop McGuinness (Oklahoma City) forward Daniel Orton (Kentucky), Carl Albert’s Harrison Dupont (The Citadel), Bryson Pope of Jenks (Tulsa), and Lawton’s Will Reinke (Stephen F. Austin) will head the Division I route.
He is also the latest Division I player in a state that has produced more than usual over the past few seasons. University of Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin (Oklahoma Christian School) is a preseason All-American this season according to numerous services while former Verdigris guard Rotnei Clarke and Pawnee guard Keiton Page are making splashes as true freshmen already.
Clarke had 17 points in his debut as a starter for Arkansas in a 91-87 overtime victory over Southeastern Louisiana while Page scored 20 points coming off the bench in a 100-88 win over North Texas on Nov. 17 for Oklahoma State.
More on Xavier Henry
Xavier Henry
Putnam City (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
6’6”, 220
Shooting Guard
2007-08 Stats: 25.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.1 assists,
Think Of: A mix between Tracy McGrady and LeBron James. Henry has that sort of ability. Henry is the best player these eyes have ever seen. – Scott Hansen, MaxPreps.com
Xavier Henry in action at MaxPrepsTV
