Xavier Henry, the nation's top player according to ESPN, committed to the Kansas Jayhawks in a press conference on Thursday.
"Next year, I'll be taking my game to Kansas," Xavier Henry said in his opening statement at the news conference. "That's all I'm going to say."
However, Henry later explained his decision. "I grew up always wanting to go to Kansas," Xavier said. "I switched to Memphis because my brother was going there. Now, with coach (John Calipari) leaving (for Kentucky), we've decided to go to KU. I'm really excited. That's where my whole family played," added Xavier, whose dad Carl, mother Barbara and aunt Vicky all played for KU.
Reports stated that Henry would pick Kansas over Kentucky once the press conference date was announced.
Henry originally signed a letter-of-intent to play for Memphis, but had a clause in his letter that said that if head coach John Calipari left, he could leave also. Weeks ago, Calipari left the Tigers for the Kentucky Wildcats, and soon thereafter, Henry was granted a release from his LOI.
Henry planned to rejoin his older brother C.J., who was a walk-on at Memphis. After Calipari left, C.J. was also granted a release from the university. C.J. committed to KU also on Thursday in a speaker-phone interview.
In 2005, C.J. verbally committed to the Jayhawks, but was selected in the first round of the 2005 MLB Draft. After three years in the minor leagues with the Phillies and Yankees, he decided to play basketball again, landing at Memphis.
The brothers are now reunited, this time at Kansas. "We're very close. It's going to be fun to play with my brother," C.J. said. "It wasn't going to happen at Memphis. I think Kansas is a good place for us. It's where (Xavier) wanted to go in the first place. It will be a great experience. It will be fun."
Barbara Henry indicated that her son will be able to play next season without filing an appeal with the NCAA. She also told the Lawrence Journal-World and News that she will be moving to Lawrence as well.
Xavier, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound guard from Putnam City H.S. in Oklahoma City, OK, is currently ranked No. 1 by ESPN and No. 8 by Rivals.com. After averaging 28.7 points per game this season, he was named to the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. His commitment to Kansas has a major effect on future KU recruits.
Kansas is currently recruiting Lance Stephenson, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Lincoln H.S. in Brooklyn, NY. Stephenson has been expected to announce his college decision since the McDonald's All-American Game, but hasn't. His finalists are Maryland, Kansas and St. John's.
For Kentucky, Calipari loses a recruit that he previously locked down. DeMarcus Cousins, his other premier recruit from Memphis, followed Calipari to Lexington, committing to UK last week.
Kansas now becomes a legitimate Final Four contender as key starters Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich are returning to school, as of Thursday. "They said they will be close to preseason No. 1 without us," Xavier said. "Now I think we'll be one of the best teams. I think the sky is the limit."
On Monday, Xavier cancelled his visit to UK. To read the article about his cancellation, please read Xavier Henry, ESPN's Top HS Prospect, Cancels Visit To UK.
Click here for more Sports News
About YourFINDit
YourFindit Community is a business, music and social networking community. YourFINDit provides members with a wealth of applications that enable them to create an in depth profile within YourFindit. Profiles include an About Me, Background and Lifestyle, Videos, Photo sharing, News, Music, Blogs, unique URL and networking with other members inside the YourFINDit community. YourFindit provides ADit to each member providing them the opportunity to have an exclusive profile (no outside advertising) displaying only banner ads they upload to their pages. Members can run their own ads or give or sell their ad space to advertisers at prices the member sets.
To create your profile sign up and within minutes you too can have your People profile running your ads and building your network with new members daily.
YourFindit is owned and operated by TransWorldNews, Inc. a news and press release distribution service.
