By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - There are not many superlatives that do not describe Putnam City guard Xavier Henry.
The junior superstar might be the best player to lace up the sneakers in Soonerland. Ever. Yes, Henry is that good. In a state chiefly known for its gridiron prowess, they can play a little roundball in Oklahoma, too.
Let's start with the facts. Henry is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, and only a junior. As a freshman, his Putnam City squad took home the Class 6A state championship in Oklahoma. As a sophomore, Henry averaged 23 points and 7.8 rebounds per game before his Pirates were upset prior to the state tournament.
What the other 31 teams in Class 6A most likely didn't want was a hungry Xavier Henry. Thanks to an earlier-than-expected exit from the postseason a year ago, that's exactly what they have.
"We are very hungry. We want to show everybody that last year was a fluke. We are putting in a lot of hard work to make sure it doesn't happen again. We feel we are the best team in Oklahoma and we want to prove it this year. Our goal is the state championship, without a doubt," Henry said.
Henry could be better than former Tulsa Washington product and three-time All-American Wayman Tisdale. Until Blake Griffin, no player was as dominant from the outset of his career at Oklahoma than Tisdale was under Billy Tubbs as a freshman.
Griffin is emerging as one of the best true freshmen in America. Griffin was the state player of the year last season while helping his Oklahoma Christian team when four-straight state titles.
It's not that Henry just showed up out of nowhere. His father, Carl, played basketball at Kansas. His brother, C.J., was another basketball standout that committed to Kansas before opting for a baseball contract with the New York Yankees.
Xavier (pronounced Zah-vee-aye) makes it look easy. Too easy. He is a silky-smooth southpaw. From 25-feet in, he's almost automatic. If he feels like it, he can drive by you with either hand in the blink of an eye. If you don't box him out, Xavier will find the ball in the mi-dair and rock the rim with power.
His basketball IQ is off the charts. He can pass, run, shoot, rebound, play defense and provide a little "Showtime" with a few dunks every so often. He's a gamer. Best of all, Henry takes it in stride. Henry has fun playing high school basketball.
"I really enjoy playing high school basketball. Basketball is my love. This is what I have done my whole life and this is what I want to do for a living some day. I put in all the work I can to make it happen. I just really enjoy playing here at Putnam City," said Henry, who is ranked at or near the top of every national recruiting list for the Class of 2009.
In pre-game warm-ups in a game against Putnam City North, Henry effortlessly elevated for a reverse dunk. His head was an inch away from the rim. Henry can do it all.
Never mind the Kansas sweatshirt he was wearing after his team defeated its rival, 70-53. Despite family ties to Lawrence, it's just a sweatshirt. For now.
When asked about it, Henry displayed his boyish smile and covered up the Kansas logo.
"It doesn't really mean anything. Don't read into it," Henry said.
Kansas has offered the All-Everything guard already, along with every other upper-echelon program in America.
"I just try to take all of the accolades in stride," Henry said. "What's important to me is elevating my game and reaching my goals. My first goal is to worry about winning the state championship here. The rest will take care of itself."
For Xavier Henry, the sky is the limit.
