Draft Prospect: Xavier Henry

[mountainballer]

agree that Grizzlies might be willing to trade #12. #20 plus next year 1st rounder sounds not bad. (maybe plus a 2nd rounder?)
don't agree that they didn't also have some use for a shooter like Henry.
however, the more likely pick to get could be #16 from the Wolves. especially if the Wolves wanted to get more cap space and Spurs include non guaranteed contracts and take someone from their books.
but #16 might be to late.
if they think like we want either George or Henry, then #16 looks promising. don't think both will be gone. (at #20 they will be gone)

[duncan228]

Xavier Henry: ‘You Always See Me With A Smile On My Face’
SportingNews

In his one season at Kansas, Xavier Henry showed himself to be one of the best shooters in college basketball, knocking down 41.8 percent of his 3-pointers and averaging 13.4 points for the Jayhawks. As he enters the NBA draft process, however, Henry finds himself battling the perception that he’s a shooter and not much else. He spoke with Sporting News’ Sean Deveney and other reporters about his prospects as a prospect.

Question: Do you consider yourself more of a shooting guard or a small forward?

Xavier Henry: I think it is interchangeable with me, whether it is the two or three spot. I can play on the wing, and I feel like I can guard either spot. So, I would say it is interchangeable.

Q: What do you think you will bring to an NBA team next year?

XH: I am a guy who can adapt. I am a guy who is coachable and will go out and fill whatever role the coach needs me to fill. I am going to work hard and do all the little things my team needs.

Q: I know a lot of teams are impressed by your overall at ude, you’re always smiling and engaging. I get the sense that’s not an act, that’s just how you always are.

XH: That’s true, that is just how I was brought up. My whole life I have been a very positive person—you always see me with a smile on my face. I know I am a very lucky person, and I appreciate it. So, I don’t see any reason to change that just because I am going from college to the pros. I don’t know any other way to act.

Q: Some general managers worry about taking someone who might be a problem off the court. You’re saying that’s not a concern with you.

XH: Yes sir, I am not a knuckleheaded kid. You don’t have to worry about me off the court, or causing problems in the locker room, stuff like that. Trust me, we go on the road or whatever, I will be right there in my room. I know there are guys who come to the NBA and get a big head and a big ego. I played with guys like that, against guys like that. I don’t understand it.

Q: Playing at Kansas, with the style you guys played, do you think you were able to fully show what you can do?

XH: Somewhat. Somewhat. But we had a lot of great players. I feel I can play the fast-paced game, and get up and down, and we maybe didn’t always do that. But I am going to be a willing passer, and I am not going to turn down open shots, and I am going to knock them down.

Q: That’s one of the knocks I have heard on you, that sometimes you are not aggressive enough. Is that something you have heard?

XH: Yes, sir, I have heard that. They think the only thing I can do is sit back and shoot open 3s. First off, hitting 3s is not a bad thing. Plus, look, we had Cole Aldrich in the middle. Of course we have to try to pound the ball down to him, we have to play inside-out. And that means I need to take those shots when I can. But I can put the ball on the floor, I can drive to the basket.

Q: As you meet with teams, are you addressing that, is that something that you want them to understand? That you had a role your coach wanted you to play and you were just trying to do it?

XH: Exactly, yes. All the teams I talk to ask me about it. So I explain it.

Q: There was a lot of talk last summer about what you were going to do, stick with Kansas or switch to Kentucky. Are you glad you stuck with Kansas?

XH: I am, I enjoyed my time there. I loved my coaches, I loved my teammates, I loved the school. I learned a lot.

Q: So where are you going to get drafted?

XH: Oh, I wish I knew. I am working out for Detroit at No. 7 and pretty much everyone else down to San Antonio—I think they are No. 20.

[Gino2882]

I think this is a likely match. I can see Henry falling to #20 and I can see the Spurs taking him. He would be a young core wing player and fill in at both SG and SF.

I think Paul George has more upside but I also think George will be long gone.

[rayray2k8]

Nice shooter and good passing skills, but why does he remind me of RJ? Maybe because of how his shot looks? Idk.

[scottspurs]

Nice shooter and good passing skills, but why does he remind me of RJ? Maybe because of how his shot looks? Idk.

No doubt in my mind Henry would be a better shooter than RJ day one if the spurs drafted him.

[DesignatedT]

I think this is a likely match. I can see Henry falling to #20 and I can see the Spurs taking him. He would be a young core wing player and fill in at both SG and SF.

I think Paul George has more upside but I also think George will be long gone.

Highly doubt it.

[Gino2882]

Highly doubt it.

Look at the mock drafts. This is a fairly deep draft outside the top 4 or 5. There are several wing players (Henry, George, Babbitt, Anderson, James,) and some bigs (Orton, Whiteside, Sanders, Udoh).

[rayray2k8]

ing draft. Get here already!!

[Mr. Body]

I'd be very very happy to get him, whether trade up or him slipping.

[mountainballer]

Xavier Henry: ‘You Always See Me With A Smile On My Face’
SportingNews

In his one season at Kansas, Xavier Henry showed himself to be one of the best shooters in college basketball, knocking down 41.8 percent of his 3-pointers and averaging 13.4 points for the Jayhawks. As he enters the NBA draft process, however, Henry finds himself battling the perception that he’s a shooter and not much else. He spoke with Sporting News’ Sean Deveney and other reporters about his prospects as a prospect.

Question: Do you consider yourself more of a shooting guard or a small forward?

Xavier Henry: I think it is interchangeable with me, whether it is the two or three spot. I can play on the wing, and I feel like I can guard either spot. So, I would say it is interchangeable.

Q: What do you think you will bring to an NBA team next year?

XH: I am a guy who can adapt. I am a guy who is coachable and will go out and fill whatever role the coach needs me to fill. I am going to work hard and do all the little things my team needs.

Q: I know a lot of teams are impressed by your overall at ude, you’re always smiling and engaging. I get the sense that’s not an act, that’s just how you always are.

XH: That’s true, that is just how I was brought up. My whole life I have been a very positive person—you always see me with a smile on my face. I know I am a very lucky person, and I appreciate it. So, I don’t see any reason to change that just because I am going from college to the pros. I don’t know any other way to act.

Q: Some general managers worry about taking someone who might be a problem off the court. You’re saying that’s not a concern with you.

XH: Yes sir, I am not a knuckleheaded kid. You don’t have to worry about me off the court, or causing problems in the locker room, stuff like that. Trust me, we go on the road or whatever, I will be right there in my room. I know there are guys who come to the NBA and get a big head and a big ego. I played with guys like that, against guys like that. I don’t understand it.

Q: Playing at Kansas, with the style you guys played, do you think you were able to fully show what you can do?

XH: Somewhat. Somewhat. But we had a lot of great players. I feel I can play the fast-paced game, and get up and down, and we maybe didn’t always do that. But I am going to be a willing passer, and I am not going to turn down open shots, and I am going to knock them down.

Q: That’s one of the knocks I have heard on you, that sometimes you are not aggressive enough. Is that something you have heard?

XH: Yes, sir, I have heard that. They think the only thing I can do is sit back and shoot open 3s. First off, hitting 3s is not a bad thing. Plus, look, we had Cole Aldrich in the middle. Of course we have to try to pound the ball down to him, we have to play inside-out. And that means I need to take those shots when I can. But I can put the ball on the floor, I can drive to the basket.

Q: As you meet with teams, are you addressing that, is that something that you want them to understand? That you had a role your coach wanted you to play and you were just trying to do it?

XH: Exactly, yes. All the teams I talk to ask me about it. So I explain it.

Q: There was a lot of talk last summer about what you were going to do, stick with Kansas or switch to Kentucky. Are you glad you stuck with Kansas?

XH: I am, I enjoyed my time there. I loved my coaches, I loved my teammates, I loved the school. I learned a lot.

Q: So where are you going to get drafted?

XH: Oh, I wish I knew. I am working out for Detroit at No. 7 and pretty much everyone else down to San Antonio—I think they are No. 20.

just watched his interview on DX and got the impression that he is an extremely friendly, polite and open personality. very likeable.
not that he said anything surprising, it's just the usual stuff those players are expected to say. (you don't expect some philosophical lectures from a 19 years old athlete anyhow).
it was just how he acted and reacted to the questions and the interviewer, always signalizing to really listen to the questions and try to give the right answer, hold eye contact and in general show a lot of respect to the other person.
I really like this guy.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...Robinson-3480/

[tav1]

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The...hes_a_good_guy



It's strange that Henry "lied" at first by saying he hasn't worked out with Spurs.
Maybe he thought that it could hurt his draft stock, maybe Spurs asked him to keep the workout quiet. If Spurs want him they will need to trade up and it's more costly/difficult to trade up when teams know what player you specifically target. In both scenario, it's a fail.

IMO, if Spurs want to trade up Memphis at #12 could be a good target. Henry not being sure to work out with them could be a sign that they aren't really high on him. They don't need bigmen or SF (if they keep Gay) that will be BPA at #12 and they haven't a first round pick next year. So, #12 for #20 and Spurs 2011 first round pick could make sense.

He told me two different things on different days. First day, it was 7-17. Second day it was 7-17, maybe 18. Then I asked specifically about the Spurs and he said 7-17, maybe 18 and definitely the Spurs. I'm not reading too much into it, other than Henry's camp seems to be making an exception for San Antonio.

[mountainballer]

Player: Xavier Henry
No step vert:28.5
Max vert: 36.5
Bench press (185 lbs): 8
Lane agility: 11.1
3/4 court sprint: 3.18

one of the concerns about him have been, that he was labeled as an average athlete. but this numbers are pretty good. especially the sprint time is great, considering a lack of quickness was one of the mostly (and wrongly) mentioned issues.
unfortunately size, lenghts and athleticism will push him closer to #10 than to #20.

[duncan228]

NBA Draft Big Board: Top 75 Players
SI.com

12 Xavier Henry
Kansas, Freshman
6-6, 210, 19 years old
SG
Polished wing player with terrific perimeter shooting ability (42 percent from downtown) and a nice feel for the game. Has an NBA body and the size and length to play either wing position. Just an average ball-handler, Henry doesn't share the upside of some of the other freshmen in this class, but is more of a sure thing at the same time.

[Mr. Body]

Golden State could reach for this guy as high as #6.

[rayray2k8]

Golden State could reach for this guy as high as #6.

Warriors Interested In Xavier Henry At No. 6

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...henry_at_no_6/

Warriors general manager Larry Riley says he prefers to draft the best player available rather than go with need.

Golden State owns the No. 6 pick in this month's NBA Draft.

Kansas guard Xavier Henry believes the team is interested in him, but they already have an overabundance of wing players.

"They made it clear that they were really interested in me," Henry said Monday. "I think I showed them everything they wanted to see. I think I should at least be in contention for it."

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...#ixzz0qHNw7DIO

[DesignatedT]

damn 6? thats pretty high. golden state be crazy though.

[Mr. Body]

GSW is almost totally inconsequential as far as the rest of the league goes. Other than the epic beat-down of the Mavs in the first round, and most of those players aren't even there anymore, they haven't been consequential in a decade. They're worse than the Clippers.

[Chieflion]

Drafting at 6-18 is a crapshoot in a draft like this. The Warriors are probably thinking of trading down to draft Henry if they really like him and trade away the "Moped".

[AFBlue]

From DX SF Situational Stats...

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...ward-Crop-3503

• Xavier Henry’s complementary role at Kansas highlights what he brings to the table as a role-player on the next level.

With a host of other prospects around him, Xavier Henry wasn’t asked to take over games. Rather, he was asked to spot up off the ball and take advantage of his opportunities. Henry’s 1.012 PPP overall ranks him sixth in our group and seems to indicates that he played his comparably small role (12.1 Pos/G) admirably.

Though he did his fair share of running on the wing of Kansas’ break, Henry’s transition numbers aren’t spectacular, but his 0.994 PPP in half court situations (5th) represent how effective he is when the game slows down. With 35.9% of his offensive touches coming in spot up situations, Henry’s set shooting ability ranks him highly as a drive and kick option. His 1.1 PPP in spot-up situations is a byproduct of his ability to hit catch and shoot jumpers with (1.26 PPS, 6th) or without (1.16 PPS, average) a hand in his face. His pull up jumper remains a bit suspect by comparison, as he hits just 28.6% of his shots off the dribble.

In 2.1 shot attempts per-game in finishing situations, Henry’s 1.12 points per-possessions rank right around average for this group. Looking at where his shots are coming from, he received a total of 7.1% of his possessions last season in one-on-one (1.048 PPP, 1st) or post up (1.2 PPP, 3rd) situations, indicating that he received little opportunity to create shots for himself. His lack of touches in those situations make his highly ranked efficiency numbers a bit misleading to say the least.

On the next level, Henry will likely find himself player a similar role to the one he played last season early in his career. A highly capable spot up shooter who has a chiseled physique and brings solid defensive intensity, he’s tailored to be a useful player right away for some teams and could blossom into a very effective offensive wing if he continues to develop.

This kid seems to have the game to be able to contribute sooner rather than later (excellent catch and shoot player...perfect for kick-outs from penetrators) and still has the upside to improve his game beyond its current role-player focus.

I hope the Spurs trade up to get this kid, because I'm pretty sure there's no way he makes it to 20.

[SenorSpur]

I really like this guy too. He's got all the necessary tools needed for a team, like the Spurs, that is looking for a young, athletic SF. Besides that, he seems to have a wonderful, Spurs-like, at ude, to boot. I would expect him to transition very well to the next level. Because he apparently already has an NBA body and game, it does seem as though he could step in and play sooner rather than later. Something to think about if RJ is traded or walks.

One would have to think that Paul George would likely be the Spurs first choice, if they stay at #20. And the possibility of him falling that far is highly unlikely. If George is indeed gone by then, I believe this Xavier Henry kid would make a wonderful second choice. Because of Buford's relationship with Kansas coach Bill Self, you just know the Spurs know everything there is to know about Henry. For all we know, that fact, along with the fact that he seems to have "gotten over himself" already, may even make him the likely preferred target of the Spurs.

Personally, I think he'd fit in very nicely with the Spurs and I hope he's available at their selection. Even if it means moving up a few spots just to get him, he probably be worth it.

[SenorSpur]

Baring injury Henry will be gone by 20, and will not play much even if we draft him next year. George also is a full court player and struggles in the half court game so unless we are gonna be a run and gun team next year I dont see us going after him.

To me, that's EXACTLY the reason RJ struggled so much with the Spurs. He is the kind of player that flourishes in the open court and has been known to struggle in the half court.

With the type of system the Spurs employ, a wing player MUST:

a) consistently knock down open shots
b) put the ball on the floor and get to the FT line
c) create offense for himself and others
d) have the skills and desire needed adequately defend other wing players

That all sounds like a lot and it really is. Obviously, very few incoming rookie SFs well-rounded enough to do all those things. The majority can do one or two things, but not all. For that matter, there aren't a ton of NBA SFs, who can do all those things.

George and Henry may be rare exceptions. Even though they both may struggle their first year or so, they have outstanding skill sets and a good upside. Whichever team and coaching staff gets them, will have a tremendous affect on their growth and development. As long as they're both willing to keep working hard, they should be fine.

[SenorSpur]

I like Henry more than George, and while I agree with you on most of what your said I think RJ will have a very good year. The spurs will find ways to get him involved and my bet is he is shooting 500 threes a day.

Hes in a contract year so if he craps out he might be a good trade chip.

The only sf I see comming in a doing anything this year is gonna be Turner. James could do well if he landed in the right spot.....Johnson will struggle in Min.

For some reason, I have a feeling that Henry is the preferred choice of R.C. and the Spurs' scouting staff. Much like Paul George, I don't expect that he'll be availabe @ #20th pick. Now, whether the Spurs can maneuver themselves into position to have a better shot at nabbing him earlier than #20, that is another story.

[ChuckD]

For some reason, I have a feeling that Henry is the preferred choice of R.C. and the Spurs' scouting staff. Much like Paul George, I don't expect that he'll be availabe @ #20th pick. Now, whether the Spurs can maneuver themselves into position to have a better shot at nabbing him earlier than #20, that is another story.

It's not a total mystery. Bill Self, Kansas' head coach, is a good friend of RC's. He probably steers him towards (or away from...yes, I'm talking about you, Darrell Arthur) certain players from his team.

[SenorSpur]

It's not a total mystery. Bill Self, Kansas' head coach, is a good friend of RC's. He probably steers him towards (or away from...yes, I'm talking about you, Darrell Arthur) certain players from his team.

Yeah, I knew that. What I'm wondering is just how strongly the Spurs feel about Henry? Do they like him to make a bold move up to go get him? Or do they like Paul George, just a bit more. It'd be interesting to see how they've ranked both these guys.

[K-State Spur]

It's not a total mystery. Bill Self, Kansas' head coach, is a good friend of RC's. He probably steers him towards (or away from...yes, I'm talking about you, Darrell Arthur) certain players from his team.

i'm not sure that factors in much beyond just maybe a tiebreaker between two players.

chalmers and hill were pretty similar players (undersized 2s with limited PG skills, good shooting range, solid defenders with long arms who could guard both guard slots) who were projected in the same range - and we went Hill all the way.