KU Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops - Page 2

blazzin311 · 10-20-2009, 05:15 PM

Don't know if it's a repost or not. I don't think it is.

Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH
The Kansas City Star

LAWRENCE | C.J. Henry looked at his little brother and knew. There was Xavier, the 6-foot-6 man-child with the broad shoulders, watching the video board from underneath the tunnel at Allen Fieldhouse with his hands pressed together below his chin, waiting for his name to be called.

“He was just looking real nervous,” C.J. said. “I could tell. I’m his brother.”

During the last few years, Xavier had played in venues bigger than Allen, in high school all-star games with just as much talent as what surrounded him on Friday night at KU’s annual “Late Night in the Phog.” So what was there to be nervous about? Well, it was his first time playing in front of a fan base that had been awaiting his arrival basically since he was born to former KU basketball players Barbara and Carl Henry in 1991. Yes, 18-year-old Xavier was a bit nervous.

C.J., his senior by five years but also a member of KU’s freshman class, just told him to be himself — the supremely gifted, confident No. 3 overall player in the class of 2009 who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2010 NBA draft.

“I kind of tried to settle him down,” C.J. said, “just told him to have fun.”

C.J. did the best he could, but it didn’t exactly work. In the Blue-White scrimmage, Xavier played like a freshman trying too hard to please. He made one of four shot attempts and finished with six points. He added three steals. More than his play, it was important just to get his highly anticipated unveiling over with.

“I played here one time but not with a crowd like that,” Xavier said. “It was special with 16,300. It’s a lot different than playing a high school game. Next time, I’m sure I’ll be more calm and go out and play and relax. Tonight, whew, it was just adrenaline.”

For the Jayhawks’ fans, it had to be nice to see Xavier and C.J. with the name ‘KANSAS’ stamped across their chests, their well-publicized recruiting saga far in the past. When Xavier’s name was finally called, he received one of the loudest player ovations.

“I’ve been feeling like a college student for the past six or seven weeks,” Xavier said. “It’s fun. I’m ready to take these recruits out, have fun, have a good night. Practice starts tomorrow morning.”

The recruits Xavier will be entertaining are five-star talents Harrison Barnes, a small forward from Ames, Iowa; Josh Selby, a point guard from Baltimore, Md.; and Doron Lamb, a shooting guard from Mouth of Wilson, Va.

It was just last year that Xavier was sitting where they were, watching a slew of recruiting-based videos and trying to make his college decision. A year later, after signing with Memphis and then choosing KU after John Calipari’s departure for Kentucky, Xavier was a part of the action.

In his freshman skit, Xavier was forced to wear an afro and butt-hugger KU game shorts from the 1980s and dance to rapper Lil’ Flip’s “The way we ball.” Xavier had been nervous about that, too, of course.

“They made us do some goofy stuff tonight,” Xavier said. “We stressed over it the whole week. We practiced earlier (Friday), made sure we got it down. It was good. I enjoyed it while we were out there.”

•TAYLOR PLAYS: KU guard Tyshawn Taylor, who dislocated a finger during a fight between KU football and basketball players, played 9 minutes during the scrimmage and dished out five assists.

The stars of the game were Markieff Morris and Travis Releford, who each had 15 points.

http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1513230.html#

CoMoChief · 10-20-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

They will learn about EJ rather quick, I think. This is the kid I'm most excited about. I haven't been this excited since JuJu.

Tyshawn Taylor is gonna shine this season. Just wait.

CoMoChief · 10-20-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

Isn't Whithey ineligible till the 2nd semester?

Not sure. I thought KU got him last fall semester, so this would make the 1 year sit out NCAA div1 rules. maybe im wrong.

Pants · 10-20-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Not sure. I thought KU got him last fall semester, so this would make the 1 year sit out NCAA div1 rules. maybe im wrong.

They got him after the semester had already started, IIRC. And as far as Tyshawn becoming a baller, I agree. But now that YOU have said that, he's probably going to suck horrendously, hahaha.

**Bearcat** · 10-20-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoHuge39

In all seriousness KU is going to be a monster this year. With Aldrich, Collins, The Moron Twins, Tyshawn, X, and the rest of the 4 and 5 stars kids anything but the National Title would be disappointing. I think Bill Self is right when he says this team isn't as good as the 07-08 team right now, but if things go well by the time they get to the Tournament they could end up being even better. I'm a huge Burrito Bill fan and root for you guys except for those two times a year we play each other. Go get ya some more hardware..................bitches (sorry couldn't help myself)

I'll hold off on my rant until someone steps that up from disappointment to utter failure.

and it'll be a Jayhawk fan...

Reerun_KC · 10-20-2009, 07:24 PM

Oh I cant wait, God I feel like a kid in a candy store or a grown up in a hot rod store with an unlimited credit card...

Man I cant wait til these guys tip off! This is going to be a great ride. I can see the haters out in full force, hanging on everything bad KU does, just hoping they have something to celebrate this year..

**Skip Towne** · 10-20-2009, 07:27 PM

I look for several redshirts. Self just has too many quality players.

Mr. Laz · 10-20-2009, 07:30 PM

It will be interesting to see if Self can avoid his normal "slow start"

**Bearcat** · 10-20-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Oh I cant wait, God I feel like a kid in a candy store or a grown up in a hot rod store with an unlimited credit card...

Man I cant wait til these guys tip off! This is going to be a great ride. I can see the haters out in full force, hanging on everything bad KU does, just hoping they have something to celebrate this year..

I thought the implosions from 2 years ago were bad... these will be epic. I remember how the world briefly ended after they lost @OSU... it's funny how people hang onto each game like it's the start of something wonderful or awful, how everything is the start of a trend, how one loss can destroy a season for a team that will get a 1 or 2 seed anyway....... it'll be a fun ride, but I might stay away from here after losses, and not because of the non-KU fans.

Pants · 10-20-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I thought the implosions from 2 years ago were bad... these will be epic. I remember how the world briefly ended after they lost @OSU... it's funny how people hang onto each game like it's the start of something wonderful or awful, how everything is the start of a trend, how one loss can destroy a season for a team that will get a 1 or 2 seed anyway....... it'll be a fun ride, but I might stay away from here after losses, and not because of the non-KU fans.

Oh yeah, we're bound to lose, it's nigh impossible not to. They are going to sting, but it's just part of the process.

Reerun_KC · 10-20-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I thought the implosions from 2 years ago were bad... these will be epic. I remember how the world briefly ended after they lost @OSU... it's funny how people hang onto each game like it's the start of something wonderful or awful, how everything is the start of a trend, how one loss can destroy a season for a team that will get a 1 or 2 seed anyway....... it'll be a fun ride, but I might stay away from here after losses, and not because of the non-KU fans.

You know every MU/KSU fan will be all over these threads, espically if KU stumbles...

I agree, they have to be more obnixous than normal due to the talent and expectations of KU this year...

Pants · 10-20-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

You know every MU/KSU fan will be all over these threads, espically if KU stumbles...

I agree, they have to be more obnixous than normal due to the talent and expectations of KU this year...

Oh God, I just thought about how beastly Aldrich is going to be.

JIMMMPPPP

BWillie · 10-20-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

It will be interesting to see if Self can avoid his normal "slow start"

Self was quoted in an article that he could red shirt up to 2-3 players depending.

Reerun_KC · 10-20-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metrolike

Oh God, I just thought about how beastly Aldrich is going to be.

JIMMMPPPP

dude is going to shred! Big 12 confernce play is going to be freaky...

teedubya · 10-20-2009, 07:55 PM

Ok i have a boner now.

teedubya · 10-20-2009, 07:56 PM

Also... I found it ironic that Night in the Phog was Friday... basketball practice began on Saturday... and teh football team lost to Colorado...

all three signifying the beginning of basketball season.

10-20-2009, 05:15 PM
blazzin311 Blazzin311 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $9475101	Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops Don't know if it's a repost or not. I don't think it is. Xavier Henry gets his first taste of KU hoops By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH The Kansas City Star LAWRENCE \| C.J. Henry looked at his little brother and knew. There was Xavier, the 6-foot-6 man-child with the broad shoulders, watching the video board from underneath the tunnel at Allen Fieldhouse with his hands pressed together below his chin, waiting for his name to be called. “He was just looking real nervous,” C.J. said. “I could tell. I’m his brother.” During the last few years, Xavier had played in venues bigger than Allen, in high school all-star games with just as much talent as what surrounded him on Friday night at KU’s annual “Late Night in the Phog.” So what was there to be nervous about? Well, it was his first time playing in front of a fan base that had been awaiting his arrival basically since he was born to former KU basketball players Barbara and Carl Henry in 1991. Yes, 18-year-old Xavier was a bit nervous. C.J., his senior by five years but also a member of KU’s freshman class, just told him to be himself — the supremely gifted, confident No. 3 overall player in the class of 2009 who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2010 NBA draft. “I kind of tried to settle him down,” C.J. said, “just told him to have fun.” C.J. did the best he could, but it didn’t exactly work. In the Blue-White scrimmage, Xavier played like a freshman trying too hard to please. He made one of four shot attempts and finished with six points. He added three steals. More than his play, it was important just to get his highly anticipated unveiling over with. “I played here one time but not with a crowd like that,” Xavier said. “It was special with 16,300. It’s a lot different than playing a high school game. Next time, I’m sure I’ll be more calm and go out and play and relax. Tonight, whew, it was just adrenaline.” For the Jayhawks’ fans, it had to be nice to see Xavier and C.J. with the name ‘KANSAS’ stamped across their chests, their well-publicized recruiting saga far in the past. When Xavier’s name was finally called, he received one of the loudest player ovations. “I’ve been feeling like a college student for the past six or seven weeks,” Xavier said. “It’s fun. I’m ready to take these recruits out, have fun, have a good night. Practice starts tomorrow morning.” The recruits Xavier will be entertaining are five-star talents Harrison Barnes, a small forward from Ames, Iowa; Josh Selby, a point guard from Baltimore, Md.; and Doron Lamb, a shooting guard from Mouth of Wilson, Va. It was just last year that Xavier was sitting where they were, watching a slew of recruiting-based videos and trying to make his college decision. A year later, after signing with Memphis and then choosing KU after John Calipari’s departure for Kentucky, Xavier was a part of the action. In his freshman skit, Xavier was forced to wear an afro and butt-hugger KU game shorts from the 1980s and dance to rapper Lil’ Flip’s “The way we ball.” Xavier had been nervous about that, too, of course. “They made us do some goofy stuff tonight,” Xavier said. “We stressed over it the whole week. We practiced earlier (Friday), made sure we got it down. It was good. I enjoyed it while we were out there.” •TAYLOR PLAYS: KU guard Tyshawn Taylor, who dislocated a finger during a fight between KU football and basketball players, played 9 minutes during the scrimmage and dished out five assists. The stars of the game were Markieff Morris and Travis Releford, who each had 15 points. http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1513230.html#
Posts: 1,429

10-20-2009, 07:24 PM	#20
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	Oh I cant wait, God I feel like a kid in a candy store or a grown up in a hot rod store with an unlimited credit card... Man I cant wait til these guys tip off! This is going to be a great ride. I can see the haters out in full force, hanging on everything bad KU does, just hoping they have something to celebrate this year..
Posts: 934

10-20-2009, 07:27 PM	#21
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	I look for several redshirts. Self just has too many quality players.
Posts: 69,689

10-20-2009, 07:30 PM	#22
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	It will be interesting to see if Self can avoid his normal "slow start" __________________
Posts: 95,626

10-20-2009, 07:55 PM	#29
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9480002	Ok i have a boner now.
Posts: 36,655

10-20-2009, 07:56 PM	#30
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9480002	Also... I found it ironic that Night in the Phog was Friday... basketball practice began on Saturday... and teh football team lost to Colorado... all three signifying the beginning of basketball season.
Posts: 36,655