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Xavier Henry
Xavier Henry
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Xavier Henry (/zɑːˈv/; born March 15, 1991) is an American former professional basketball player. He played one year of college basketball with the Kansas Jayhawks before he was drafted in the 2010 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. He played four and a half seasons in the NBA between 2010 and 2014. He finished his career in 2017 after two seasons in the NBA G League.

Key Information

Early life

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Henry was born in Ghent, Belgium, where his father played professional basketball in the early 1990s.[1]

High school career

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Henry attended Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He missed the start of his of senior season after he fractured his cheekbone in a car accident in October 2008.[2] On March 14, 2009, he led Putnam City to the Oklahoma Class 6A state championship, scoring 24 points in the title game against Jenks High School.[3]

Henry was named to the 2009 McDonald's All-American Game where he scored 14 points.[4] Henry was also selected to play in the 2009 Nike Hoop Summit at the Rose Garden in Portland where he led Team USA with 22 points including six 3-pointers[5] and the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden where he scored 10 points for the white team.[6] He was SLAM magazine's high school diary keeper for the 2008–09 basketball season.[7]

Recruitment

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By the end of his senior season, Henry was ranked as the #6 overall prospect and #2 shooting guard in the class of 2009 by Scout.com,[8] #8 overall and #3 shooting guard by Rivals.com[9] and #3 overall, #2 shooting guard by ESPN.[10] Originally, Henry was heavily recruited by both Memphis and Kansas. On November 18, 2008, Henry announced his commitment to Memphis citing the opportunity to play alongside his brother, C. J., as the primary reason for the decision.[11]

In March 2009, Memphis's head coach John Calipari took the head coaching job at the University of Kentucky, prompting Henry to reopen his recruitment.[12]

On April 23, Henry officially announced his choice to play basketball for Kansas.[13]

I grew up always wanting to go to Kansas. 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.

— Xavier Henry

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Xavier Henry
SG
Oklahoma City Putnam City 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Apr 23, 2009 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 5/5 stars   Rivals: 5/5 stars   (98)

College career

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Henry guarding future Lakers and D-Fenders teammate Manny Harris of Michigan on December 19, 2009

Henry scored 27 points in his first college game, breaking the record for most points scored by a Jayhawk in a debut game as a freshman.[14] On December 12, 2009, Henry scored 31 points against La Salle at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. In doing so he became the first KU freshman to score 30 points in a game since Paul Pierce. Henry's 31 points was four short of the KU record for points scored by a freshman set by KU legend Danny Manning.[15]

College statistics

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Kansas 36 36 27.5 .458 .418 .783 4.4 1.5 1.5 .5 13.4

Professional career

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Memphis Grizzlies (2010–2012)

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On April 7, 2010, Henry announced that he would forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA draft, where he was expected to be a first-round selection.[16] On June 24, Henry was selected 12th overall in the 2010 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.

New Orleans Hornets (2012–2013)

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On January 4, 2012, Henry was acquired by New Orleans Hornets as a part of a three-team trade that sent Marreese Speights to Memphis and two future second-round picks to the Philadelphia 76ers.[17] Henry was assigned to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League on March 17, 2012[18] and recalled on March 19.[19]

Los Angeles Lakers (2013–2014)

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On September 5, 2013, Henry signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[20] In his debut on October 29, 2013, he led the Lakers to a 116–103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers while scoring a career-high 22 points.[21] On February 27, 2014, he was assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League.[22] On March 2, 2014, he was recalled by the Lakers.[23] On April 11, 2014, Henry underwent surgery to repair both a torn ligament in his left wrist and a cartilage abnormality in his right knee.[24]

On July 25, 2014, Henry re-signed with the Lakers[25] to a reported one-year, $1 million contract.[26]

On October 18, 2014, Henry's agents announced that he would be seeking a second opinion following his April 11 knee surgery and traveling to Germany for Regenokine treatment.[27] On November 15, 2014, he was reassigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[28] He was recalled the next day. On November 22, he was reassigned to D-Fenders[29] and again recalled a day later. On November 24, he was ruled out for the rest of the season after an MRI revealed a ruptured left Achilles tendon that he suffered at practice.[30] On December 28, 2014, he was waived by the Lakers.[31]

Santa Cruz Warriors (2015–2016)

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On October 19, 2015, Henry signed with the Golden State Warriors.[32] He was waived just four days later.[33] On November 2, he was acquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of Golden State.[34] On February 19, 2016, he made his debut for Santa Cruz in a 116–100 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, recording 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 16 minutes.[35]

Oklahoma City Blue (2016–2017)

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On September 12, 2016, Henry signed with the Milwaukee Bucks,[36] but was later waived by the team on September 23 prior to training camp.[37] On November 3, he was acquired by the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA Development League (now renamed the NBA G League).[38]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Memphis 38 16 13.9 .406 .118 .635 1.0 .5 .3 .1 4.3
2011–12 New Orleans 45 0 16.9 .395 .412 .612 2.4 .8 .6 .2 5.3
2012–13 New Orleans 50 2 12.5 .410 .364 .630 1.8 .3 .3 .1 3.9
2013–14 L.A. Lakers 43 5 21.1 .417 .346 .655 2.7 1.2 1.0 .2 10.0
2014–15 L.A. Lakers 9 0 9.6 .231 .000 .583 .4 .3 .3 .0 2.2
Career 185 23 15.7 .406 .325 .635 1.9 .6 .5 .1 5.7

Personal life

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Henry is a Christian. Henry has spoken about his faith saying, "I understand the world is not all about me. I want to lead people to Christ, do the best I can and make life worthwhile. Life is about other things. It's helping people out and being a servant to everybody else."[39]

Henry's brother, C. J., was a 2005 MLB first-round draft pick and returned to college after playing three years of minor-league baseball in the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies organizations.[40] The brothers' father, Carl, played basketball at Kansas in the 1980s[41] and their mother played basketball for the Kansas women's team.[42]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Xavier Henry (born March 15, 1991) is an American coach and former professional player, best known for his tenure as a shooting guard/ in the (NBA) from 2010 to 2015. Born in Gent, , to American parents—his father was a professional basketball player overseas—Henry was raised in , , where he became a standout high school prospect at Putnam City High School. A two-time Class 6A state champion and All-American, he averaged 28.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 2.1 assists per game during his senior year, leading his team to the 2009 state title. Henry played one season of college basketball at the in 2009–10, where he averaged 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game as a , including a 27-point debut against Towson. Selected 12th overall in the by the , he appeared in 38 games during his rookie season before being traded to the New Orleans Hornets early in his second year. His NBA career spanned 185 regular-season games across three franchises: the Grizzlies (2010–12), New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans; 2011–13), and (2013–15), where he posted career averages of 5.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game, with a high of 10.0 in the 2013–14 season. He also played in the for affiliates like the Energy and Los Angeles D-Fenders, and was last waived by the in 2016. After retiring from playing, Henry founded "X Marks the Shot," a basketball training academy in dedicated to youth development. In May 2024, he was appointed of the boys' basketball team at U.S. Grant High School in , returning to his roots in the local basketball community. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and known for his left-handed shooting and athleticism, Henry's career highlights his transition from a top recruit to a professional athlete and now mentor in the sport.

Early years

Early life

Xavier Henry was born on March 15, 1991, in , , to American parents Carl Henry and (née Adkins). His father, Carl, had a professional basketball career in during the early 1990s, including stints in , after leading the men's basketball team in scoring during his junior and senior years in the 1980s. His mother, Barbara, was a four-year letterwinner on the team from 1982 to 1985, averaging eight points and five rebounds per game over her college career. The Henry family has deep roots in basketball, with both parents' collegiate experiences at Kansas fostering a strong athletic heritage. Henry's older brother, C.J. Henry, extended this legacy into baseball, being selected by the New York Yankees in the first round (17th overall) of the 2005 MLB Draft out of high school, though he later pursued at . Years after Xavier's birth abroad, the family relocated to the and settled in , drawn by the parents' enduring ties to the program. In , Henry's early exposure to was profoundly shaped by his parents' guidance and the local environment. Carl and Barbara emphasized fundamentals and discipline drawn from their own playing days, introducing Xavier to the sport at a young age through family practices and community leagues, which ignited his passion before entering organized high school competition.

High school career

Xavier Henry attended Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he developed into a standout basketball player and one of the nation's elite prospects. As a junior in the 2007–08 season, Henry averaged 26.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game over 23 contests. In his senior year of 2008–09, he elevated his performance, averaging 28.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 2.1 assists per game while guiding the Pirates to the Oklahoma Class 6A state championship, his second such title after contributing to the 2006 championship as a freshman. Henry's high school dominance earned him national acclaim as the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2009 according to the Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI), placing him in the top 10 by (No. 3 in 100) and (No. 6). He capped his prep career by participating in the prestigious , where he scored 14 points, grabbed five rebounds, and contributed two assists and two steals for the West team in 23 minutes of play.

Recruitment and college career

Recruitment

Xavier Henry emerged as one of the top high school prospects in the class of 2009, earning five-star status from major scouting services and ranking as the No. 1 player in . He was regarded as high as No. 3 nationally by , No. 6 by , and No. 8 by , drawing scholarship offers from several blue-chip programs including , Memphis, UCLA, , , Louisville, and State. Henry took official visits to on October 17, 2008, and planned trips to UCLA, , and Memphis during the fall of 2008 as he narrowed his choices. On November 18, 2008, he committed to Memphis, citing the opportunity to play alongside his brother C.J., who had also signed with the Tigers. However, following John Calipari's departure from Memphis to in April 2009, Henry was granted a release from his and reopened his recruitment. On April 23, 2009, he announced his commitment to , the of both his parents— Carl Henry, a former Jayhawks guard in the 1980s, and mother Barbara Henry, who played on the women's team—while praising coach Bill Self's successful program.

College career

As a during the 2009–10 season, Xavier Henry served as a key contributor for the under head coach , starting all 36 games primarily at shooting guard and averaging 27.5 minutes per game. His athleticism and scoring prowess helped bolster the team's backcourt alongside point guard , earning him a spot on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. Henry adapted quickly to the college level, providing perimeter shooting and defensive energy to a squad that relied on its balanced attack to dominate the regular season. Henry's scoring highlights included a season-opening 27 points against Hofstra on November 13, 2009, and a career-high 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting in a 90–65 win over La Salle on December 12, 2009. He also delivered 19 points and five rebounds in an 82–65 regular-season victory over Kansas State on March 3, 2010, helping Kansas secure the outright Big 12 regular-season title with a 33–3 record. In the Big 12 Tournament, he contributed 11 points during a decisive 21–2 run in the semifinal win over Texas A&M on March 12, 2010, though the Jayhawks fell to Kansas State in the championship game the following day. The Jayhawks entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed but suffered a shocking 69–67 upset loss to ninth-seeded Northern Iowa in the second round on March 20, 2010, ending their title defense. On April 7, 2010, Henry announced his decision to forgo remaining college eligibility and declare for the , where he was projected as a lottery selection due to his upside as a versatile wing.

College statistics

During his single season at the in 2009–10, Xavier Henry appeared in all 36 games for , starting all 36, and averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 45.8% from the field, 41.8% from three-point range, and 78.3% from the free-throw line. His season totals included 483 points, 157 rebounds, and 53 assists. In play (16 games), Henry averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 42.6% from the field, 35.6% from three-point range, and 82.6% from the free-throw line. Advanced metrics for the season highlighted his efficiency, with a (PER) of 21.5 and a (TS%) of 59.1%.
SeasonSchoolConfGGSMPFGFGAFG%3P3PA3P%2P2PA2P%eFG%FTFTAFT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTS
2009-10Big 12363627.54.59.8.4581.94.6.4182.65.3.492.5552.53.2.7831.23.24.41.51.50.51.91.813.4

Professional career

Memphis Grizzlies (2010–2012)

Xavier Henry was selected by the with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the . In his rookie season during the , Henry appeared in 38 games for the , averaging 4.3 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.5 assists in 13.9 minutes per game. He started 16 of those games and showed potential as a versatile wing player capable of contributing on both ends of the court, though his efficiency was modest at 40.6% field goal shooting. Henry's development was hampered by injuries, including knee soreness that caused him to miss 12 games early in the season and a second-degree right ankle in late February 2011 that sidelined him for at least four weeks. Entering his sophomore year in the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Henry aimed to secure a more consistent rotation spot with , who had qualified for the the previous year. He appeared in the team's first six games, averaging 7.0 points in 15.2 minutes per game while shooting 50% from the field in limited action. However, ongoing struggles to establish a defined role amid a deep wing rotation led to trade discussions. On January 4, 2012, traded Henry to the New Orleans Hornets as part of a three-team deal that also involved the , sending him along with a future second-round pick in exchange for forward and other assets. This move marked the end of Henry's tenure with Memphis after 44 total regular-season games across both seasons.

New Orleans Hornets (2011–2013)

After the trade on January 4, 2012, Henry joined the New Orleans Hornets for the remainder of the 2011–12 season. He appeared in 39 games, averaging 5.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 17.0 minutes per game, shooting 41.2% from the field. Following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in July 2012 to repair a , Xavier Henry was anticipated to be fully recovered in time for the New Orleans Hornets' ahead of the 2012–13 season. However, an ankle injury caused him to miss the first five games of the regular season. Henry appeared in 50 games for the Hornets during the 2012–13 campaign, making two starts while primarily serving as bench depth behind starters such as and . In limited minutes, he averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game, shooting 41.0% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. His contributions were modest but helped provide rotational support in the backcourt, particularly amid the team's ongoing injury challenges. The Hornets endured a difficult season, finishing with a 27–55 record and placing fifth in the Southwest Division, missing the for the third consecutive year. Henry's tenure underscored his ongoing adaptation to an NBA role, though persistent health issues limited his consistency and impact.

Los Angeles Lakers (2013–2015)

On September 5, 2013, the signed Xavier Henry to a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum as a . The 22-year-old guard-forward, a former first-round draft pick, joined a Lakers roster depleted by injuries to stars like and , providing depth at the wing position. Henry quickly carved out a role as a reliable reserve in the early 2013–14 season, appearing in 31 games up to the injury on December 30, 2013, where he averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21.3 minutes per game. His athleticism and scoring ability shone through, highlighted by a career-high 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting in a 115–89 win over the on December 1, 2013, during which he also added six rebounds and two steals. These performances established him as an energetic contributor off the bench for a team seeking to rebound from a disappointing 2012–13 campaign. Henry's progress was derailed on December 30, 2013, when he sustained a bone bruise and an abnormality in the lateral meniscus of his right knee during a 111–104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, forcing him to miss the next 28 games. The injury required ongoing treatment, including fluid drainage in February 2014, delaying his return amid the Lakers' ongoing struggles with a rash of ailments. He made his return on March 3, 2014, in a 107–106 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, logging 19 minutes and scoring eight points in his first action in over two months. Over the final 12 games of the season, Henry appeared in a reserve role but showed reduced efficiency, shooting 38.5% from the field while dealing with lingering knee issues and a torn ligament in his right wrist sustained on March 22, 2014, against the Washington Wizards. Notable efforts included 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting in a 127–96 rout of the New York Knicks on March 25, 2014. Overall for the season, he played in 43 games (five starts), averaging 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 21.1 minutes, with a field goal percentage of 41.7%. The injury-plagued Lakers finished with a 27–55 record, their worst since the 1957–58 season, missing the playoffs for the second straight year. Henry re-signed with the Lakers on July 25, 2014, to another one-year deal. In the 2014–15 season, he appeared in 9 games off the bench, averaging 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 9.6 minutes per game. His season was cut short on November 24, 2014, when he ruptured his left during practice, an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. The Lakers waived Henry on December 28, 2014, to make room on the roster.

G League stints (2015–2017)

Following his waiver by the in December 2014 after an Achilles injury earlier that season, Xavier Henry sought to revive his NBA aspirations through the then-NBA Development League (now G League), signing training camp contracts with teams like the in 2015 and the in 2016, only to be waived and allocated or traded to their affiliates. On October 30, 2015, he was allocated to the , the Warriors' G League team, providing him a platform to regain form after persistent injury concerns. This move marked his full transition to minor-league basketball, where he aimed to showcase his scoring ability and athleticism for potential NBA call-ups. Henry's G League tenure was hampered by ongoing knee issues stemming from prior surgeries, which limited his availability and performance consistency across both seasons. In total, he appeared in 19 regular-season games between 2015 and 2017, averaging 12.4 while dealing with these physical setbacks that curtailed his playing time and explosiveness. For the 2016–2017 season, Henry was traded to the , the Thunder's affiliate, on October 30, 2016, in exchange for a draft pick, allowing a brief return to his hometown region on what effectively served as a tryout basis to prove his recovery and viability. However, after playing his final professional games that year, Henry made no further NBA return attempts, effectively retiring from by 2017 at age 26, as chronic injuries overshadowed his potential.

Santa Cruz Warriors (2015–2016)

On October 19, 2015, Xavier Henry signed a non-guaranteed contract with the . He was waived by the team four days later on October 23, 2015, as part of final roster cuts. Following his release, Henry was designated as an allocated player by the , the ' affiliate, on November 2, 2015. This assignment allowed him to continue his rehabilitation from a prior Achilles injury while competing at the professional level. He made his debut with Santa Cruz shortly thereafter, providing scoring depth off the bench during his recovery. In the 2015–16 G League regular season, Henry appeared in 9 games for the , averaging 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 18.8 minutes per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. His efficient scoring, including a high of 25 points in a single game, highlighted his role as a versatile wing contributor, though limited appearances reflected ongoing recovery efforts. Santa Cruz finished the season with a 22–28 record, missing the playoffs. After the G League season concluded, Henry joined the Golden State Warriors' roster for the 2016 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he appeared in multiple games to showcase his skills. He was not retained by Golden State following summer league and entered free agency, eventually signing with the Milwaukee Bucks in September 2016.

Oklahoma City Blue (2016–2017)

Following his release from the , Xavier Henry was traded to the on October 30, 2016, in exchange for guard , whom the Blue had selected in the Draft. This move allowed Henry to return to his hometown of , where he had attended Putnam City High School and maintained strong . In the 2016–17 G League season, Henry's role with the Blue was limited by ongoing recovery from prior injuries, including a ruptured left suffered in 2014 while with the . He appeared in 10 regular-season games, averaging 9.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 16.8 minutes per game, while shooting 41.0% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range. Despite flashes of scoring ability, such as a 22-point performance in a March 18, 2017, game against the Reno Bighorns, his contributions were inconsistent amid the physical toll of his injury history. Henry's time with the Blue marked the conclusion of his professional playing career, as he did not appear in any postseason games and received no further contracts after the 2016–17 season.

Career statistics

NBA regular season

Xavier Henry appeared in 185 NBA regular season games across five seasons from 2010 to 2015. His career per-game averages were 5.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists, while shooting 40.4% from the field, 35.4% from three-point range, and 63.2% from the free-throw line.
SeasonTeamGPMPGPPGRPGAPGFG%3P%FT%
2010-113813.94.31.00.540.6%11.8%63.5%
2011-124516.95.32.40.839.5%41.2%61.2%
2012-135012.53.91.80.341.0%36.4%63.0%
2013-144321.110.02.71.241.7%34.6%65.5%
2014-1599.62.20.40.323.1%0.0%58.3%
Career18515.65.71.90.640.4%35.4%63.2%
Henry's career advanced statistics included a player efficiency rating (PER) of 9.5, a true shooting percentage of 47.7%, and a usage rate of 19.5%.

NBA playoffs

Xavier Henry did not appear in any NBA playoff games during his career.

Personal life

Henry was born to Carl Henry, a former professional player, and Barbara Henry (née Adkins), both of whom played at the . His older brother, C.J. Henry, also played at . As of 2025, Henry has a young daughter.

References

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