Name:
Xavier Henry
Position:
Shooting Guard
Team:
Putnam H.S., Oklahoma City, OK
Height:
6'6"
Weight:
225
Class:
2009
Potential College Choices:
Kansas, Memphis, Kentucky
Profile:
Unlike many other high school and college-level shooting guards, the Oklahoma City native has legitimate NBA size for the position. At 6'6" and 225 pounds, Xavier Henry actually out-weighs the other consensus choice for top prospect in the class of 2009, the 6'9" power forward Derrick Favors. That size and strength is a huge asset, allowing Henry to blast through traffic and get to the rim. It also gives him tremendous versatility -- he's equally comfortable sinking a three-pointer or posting up, which should make him a matchup nightmare both in college and in the pros. He's a very good rebounder as well, and a threat to take any miss coast-to-coast.
Henry is reportedly very coachable and has an excellent head for the game.
Scouts have questioned whether or not Henry has much of a mid-range game; most likely, that will come. Against inferior competition, a player like Henry has little need to do anything but hit a three or dunk -- but he certainly has the skill to develop a reliable pull-up jumper.
Family Ties
Henry's father Carl was the leading scorer for the Kansas Jayhawks in 1982-83 and 1983-84. His mother played for the Kansas women's team.Older brother C.J. Henry initially committed to play at Kansas as well, but opted instead for a professional baseball contract with the Yankees. C.J. is still a Yankee farmhand, but is attending the University of Memphis and was a walk-on with the Tigers in 2008-09 but did not play.
