Xavier Henry Keeps It In The Family By Choosing KU Over UK

While it may be somewhat disappointing to the UK coaches and fans, it should not come as a huge surprise that Xavier Henry has decided to go to Kansas instead of following John Calipari to Kentucky. Xavier and his brother CJ were always going to be a package deal. Plus, both their parents played at KU.

Kentucky was willing to take both Xavier and CJ, and it would not have cost a scholarship. As I understand it, the Yankees are paying his college tuition. But what I am hearing now is that Xavier's decision basically came down to keeping harmony in the family. His mother really wanted both of her sons to play at Kansas, and the thought of them playing elsewhere was beginning to cause some drama in the Henry household.

Calipari actually told Xavier's father that they shouldn't let this decision break up the family. Calipari thinks so highly of Xavier and CJ as kids, that if the best fit for them and their family was Kansas, then so be it.

As disconcerting, as this may be for the UK staff, it's not a devastating blow to this year's recruiting efforts. The number one target all along has been John Wall. He may be the best point guard talent in this year's class, and Kentucky needs a point in the worst way.

As one UK assistant coach recently told me, "A good point is the difference between an 8-seed and a 1 or 2-seed!"

John Calipari Makes Another Pitch to John Wall And Xavier Henry

I just returned to the Nike Hoop Summit team hotel after dinner with some of the crew from tonight's broadcast, and guess who I see working his recruiting magic near the lobby. That's right, John Calipari.

As I mentioned earlier, Coach Cal and other coaches were not allowed to attend tonight's game between Team USA and the World Team, but he was allowed to contact the players after the game away from the arena. A stupid rule in my opinion, but nonetheless, Cal was there doing what he does best. One would assume that he left a great impression, if only because he was first. I didn't see any other top level coaches at the hotel waiting to talk to these kids shortly before midnight.

The two players hearing Calipari's latest pitch were, of course, John Wall and Xavier Henry. Not only are they two of the top five players in the country, they were also the only players on the USA Junior National Select Team that have yet to announce where they would be attending school next fall. Both players confirmed to me during the game, however, that Kentucky was definitely a leading contender on their respective short lists.

Coincidentally, Wall and Henry were the two brightest stars for Team USA despite its 97-89 loss to the World Team. The X-Man led all U.S. scorers with 22 points, including 6-of-11 shooting from 3-point range, which tied the U.S. Hoop Summit individual record for both 3-point makes and attempts. While Wall finished with 13 points, a U.S. Hoop Summit record 11 assists and tied the steals mark with five.

UK fans can only hope Calipari's recruiting magic works on these two future NBA standouts.

Team USA Trio Could All End Up At Kentucky

I just returned to my hotel after watching the practices for this weekend's Nike Hoop Summit. I made a point to find DeMarcus Cousins and congratulate him on his recent commitment to Kentucky. He was excited to meet someone who had gone to school there.

After talking about all the positive experiences he should expect while at UK, I asked him flat out if he was going to bring some of his Team USA teammates with him to Lexington. And without blinking an eye, he said he thinks both Xavier Henry and John Wall will eventually sign with Kentucky. Neither player had told him that directly, but based on their most recent conversations, Cousins' gut feeling told him that all three would end up playing for the Cats.

A few moments later, I spoke to Henry. He told me that since he had been released from his letter-on-intent by Memphis, he now had three schools on his final list: Memphis, Kansas and Kentucky. He wouldn't say which way he was leaning, but he did say he was a huge fan of John Calipari's dribble-drive offense. In fact, he said it was Cal's system that led him to sign with Memphis in the first place, in addition to the opportunity to play with his brother CJ.

And speaking of, Henry told me that he plans to visit UK's campus shortly after he plays in the Jordan Brand Classic in New York, and he won't be alone. Both Xavier and CJ will tour the campus and the facilities together. Thus, reinforcing the idea I mentioned earlier this week. Xavier and CJ Henry will more than likely be a package deal.

By the way, PJ Carlesimo told me today that CJ is not just a throw in. The kid can play!

Finally, I got the chance to talk to John Wall. When I first asked him to name the schools on his list, he ran off about half of all the Division 1 programs. Jordan Brand Classic organizers asked Wall to have his list narrowed down to just a handful of teams by next week, but I didn't feel like waiting that long.

I got right to the point and asked him with Calipari going to Kentucky if that meant UK was a strong candidate, and he said "Definitely."

Wall went on to tell me that the reason he would be interested in playing for Calipari is because of his ability to put players on the fast track to the NBA. He mentioned Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans by name, both of whom spent only one season at Memphis before heading to the draft.

I want to reiterate that neither Henry or Wall confirmed to me that they would end up at Kentucky, but if Las Vegas was to set on a line on the chances, UK would be a good bet. I was left with the impression that playing for John Calipari was more important than the school they represent, which of course, is great news for Big Blue Nation.
Be sure and catch the game Saturday night on FSN.

Xavier Henry's College Decision Will Be All About Family

Just ran across an article with some good insight on Xavier Henry, one of the top recruits in the country. He originally signed with Memphis, but when John Calipari took the Kentucky job, Henry and his brother CJ were both released from their commitments.

According to their dad, former Kansas player Carl Henry, the two brothers are deciding between Memphis, KU and UK. He doesn't expect a decision, however, until a couple of weeks.

“Xavier is leaving tomorrow for Oregon (and Nike Hoop Summit). After that he goes to New York (for Jordan Classic, April 18),” Carl Henry said. “The only way they could do it is if C.J. and Xavier talk (soon) and decide something between themselves. Our family likes to sit down and discuss things. That’s the way we do things and Xavier will be gone two weeks."

The key word in that statement is "family". In the March edition of SLAM Magazine, Xavier talked about why he chose Memphis, and it had everything to do with family and the opportunity to play on the same team as his brother for the first time.

"We've never had a chance to play together--he was a senior when I was in ninth grade--and my parents really wanted us to stay together," said Xavier. "My whole family is going to move out there (Memphis) next year. We figure, we're gonna split up soon, so this is kind of a last chance to be together as a whole family. I'm looking forward to it."

So it seems pretty simple. Wherever Xavier Henry ends up, that school won't just get one of the top recruits in the country, it will get the entire Henry family.