C.J. Henry

C.J. Henry

Guard

Memphis Tigers

6'3"

200

Freshman

John Calipari found an unlikely benefactor to foot the bill for his newest recruit's tuition.

George Steinbrenner.

C.J. Henry was a top hoops prospect in 2005, but was selected 17th overall in the MLB amateur draft and turned down a scholarship offer from Kansas to sign with the Yankees.

For a while, he was considered a major prospect -- he was the centerpiece of the trade that brought slugging right fielder Bobby Abreu to the Bronx -- but his progress stalled, and he was released by Philadelphia after the 2007 season. He signed a minor-league contract to re-join the Yankees in 2008, but was limited to just 20 games at the Class A level due to a neck injury.

Luckily for Henry, he has a fallback position.

His Yankee contract calls for the team to pay his college tuition -- and he's taking them up on the deal. He's enrolled at the University of Memphis, where he'll begin taking classes in September, and is expected to join the basketball team as a walk-on. On a Memphis team that lost both starting guards -- Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts -- to the NBA, Henry could contribute as soon as he shakes off the rust. Expect to see him logging minutes at the point guard spot.

Part One of Two?

Henry's commitment has additional significance. His younger brother, Xavier, is one of the most sought-after recruits in the class of 2009. It will be interesting to see what impact, if any, C.J.'s presence will have on little brother -- and when I say "little" I'm talking age. Xavier Henry is 6'6" and built like an NFL tight end.