Neither Xavier Henry, nor brother CJ, have been reported attending summer school in Lawrence, working out with the team or even playing pickup games with them. This has fueled concerns among fans and some close to the program. TheShiver.com’s Matt Scott discussed the issues with father, Carl Henry, in hopes of clearing the air.
“Xavier didn’t want to go to summer school. He wanted to stay here, and he asked me if I would call Coach Self to make sure it was ok,”Henry said. “I told him no, and that he would need to call Coach Self himself. He called him, and then Xavier called me back and said Coach Self said it was ok.”
“Xavier has a lot of dental stuff going on too, which would have caused him to drive back and forth, and back and forth. He is having 4 wisdom team pulled, a root canal, and some other stuff,” Henry said. “If Coach Self told him it was mandatory, he would have been there. Now if it were me, I would have gone myself. Now we got radio stations down here calling Xavier a prima-donna and what not and they have never even met him,” Henry added.
As for CJ, his college is paid for by the New York Yankees, as per his contract after being drafted in the first round out of high school. However, the Yankees pay for two semesters, which would eliminate summer school. Add that to his foot injury, CJ decided it was best to just stay at home to rehab and work out.
“People are going to be shocked by CJ,” Henry said. “He got the Doctor’s release 4 days ago and has been at it. We have a big hill here in Oklahoma City and he has been running it with a 12 pound medicine ball. He wants to have his playing weight around 205 pounds and his foot is 100% now. He still has his jump-shot and is much stronger and quicker now,” added Henry.
This is the second time CJ Henry has made a commitment to play at Kansas. Before being drafted by the Yankees, Henry committed to Kansas in case he decided to play basketball. After being picked int he first round, baseball was the best option for him at the time. Once the basketball itch started coming back, most speculated that Kansas would again get the nod. Instead, CJ chose to attend Memphis, much to the surprise of Kansas fans.
“I watch a lot off basketball, and we watched a lot of Memphis. We would talk about the offense that Calipari ran, and the way the guards would drive and get to the rim. That got CJ thinking about Memphis and he asked me to call Calipari. Now Calipari had never seen CJ play before, so he talked to Kelvin Sampson, who saw CJ play in high school. Sampson told him that he shouldn’t let that guy go,” added Henry.
Xavier is also hard at work despite dental problems and being absent from team workouts. He and brother C.J. are working tirelessly in the Oklahoma summer heat, the younger Xavier having pronounced goals in weight, speed and strength.
“Xavier is doing two workouts a day right now. I told them, no T.V. and video games before you get your work in,” Henry said. “Xavier was playing at 230 pounds and he is trying to get to 215-218 pounds for his playing weight. Right now, he is 218 pounds. It just makes him quicker out there and he still has his strength,” added Henry.
In concern with the clear intent of one-and-done, Xavier fully understands that might not be the case.
“He would love to be one and done, but it might not happen,” Henry said.
With a variety of rumors surfacing since the Henry’s decided on Kansas, the Henry’s have been dealing with the frustration of trying to sort through the truths and what Carl Henry describes as ‘lies.’
“Barbara told Xavier she wasn’t moving to Kentucky, so Xavier chose Kansas to keep the family together and to keep everyone happy. She then told him that he can go where he wants to after all this stuff started coming out and she was upset. Xavier thought about switching to Kentucky then, and CJ would have followed, but I kept this Kansas thing together,” Henry said. “I told them that after going on television and saying that you wanted to be with your family and everything, that they need to go to Kansas. Plus they could win the national title and are ranked number 1 already,” added Henry.
Carl was clear that both Henry brothers will be at Kansas this season. In fact, after a trip to L.A. in August, the Henry brothers will begin a journey at The University of Kansas.
“We are going out to L.A. in August, like the 2nd-9th, to work out with a lot of pros out there. Paul Pierce, Derrick Rose, Sheldon Williams, and Tyreke Evans. I know a lot of those guys from my days andwe think it will be great for them to work out with those guys,” said Henry. “Blake Griffin andhis brother Taylor both went out there and worked out in the past too,” added Henry.
Shortly after the trip to L.A., the Henry brothers will be heading to Lawrence to begin their careers as Kansas Jayhawks.
“I think classes start somewhere around August 19th. I think we are heading up on like the 17th or so,” Henry said. “Both boys have been enrolled in classes,” added Henry.
