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Henry brothers finally show at Kansas

Now appearing at Kansas in what could be a very short off-Broadway run – the famous Henry brothers.

The celebrated siblings from Oklahoma City finally arrived on campus this week and will probably help make the Jayhawks an early favorite for the upcoming NCAA championship.

Older brother C. J. Henry originally committed in the 2005 class that included future NBA players as Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush and Julian Wright.

Little brother Xavier Henry will probably fire away from out on the wing and said this week that he expects to be one-and-done, indicating that college is merely a relay station on his way to the NBA.

The brothers have been closely watched for some time. After 6-foot-4 C. J. Henry committed to Kansas, he was drafted by the New York Yankees and elected to give baseball a try. But he never got out of the low minors and wound up at Memphis on a basketball scholarship.

Xavier was going to join him there when he graduated high school this year. But then coach John Calipari took a job at Kentucky, and suddenly the Jayhawks, where their parents both played basketball, were back in the picture.

C. J. exercised an option to transfer and the two decided to come to Kansas.

The 6-foot-6 Xavier is certain to be a starter, a key member of Kansas defending Big 12 champions. But how much C. J. will play is unknown even to coach Bill Self.

How could I know? Self said Thursday. I havent seen him play in about five years.

Xavier will join two All-Big 12 cornerstones to what could be a nearly unstoppable Kansas squad with point guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich. All three could hope to be early-round picks in next years NBA draft.

Like I said before, I think Im a one-and-done capable player, said Xavier. But its all about the holes I have in my game that people say. Thats why I chose Kansas. I think coach Self can help fill those holes with practice and playing.

If he does his job and I do my job Im capable of being a one-and-done player. But Im not saying right now Im a one-and-done player.

The brothers raised a few eyebrows when they stayed in Oklahoma City and didnt enroll in summer school to get to know their future teammates.

I had to stay home. I had to get my braces off, Xavier said. I had to get two root canals and all four wisdom teeth taken out. People thought we were skipping these workouts. I had to do stuff at home and was still working out.

C. J., listed as a redshirt freshman, said hes not worried about his break from competitive basketball.

Ive worked hard, he said. I know Im going to go out there and Im going to be me and if thats not enough, shoot, Ill go out there and work harder.

Aldrich, who averaged 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds as a sophomore, said the brothers look to be as athletic as advertised.

They are great people, Aldrich said. The guys on the team are really excited to have them on campus. We are excited for them to be here and really be one as a team. They are hard workers. They were lifting with us today. They got in the grind with us and everything is going great so far.