New Orleans Hornets guard Xavier Henry has been sent down to the Iowa Energy of the D-League for a game in order to get him some additional playing time.
The New Orleans Hornets announced today that the team has assigned guard Xavier Henry to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League. Because Henry has an NBA contract, he is not eligible to be called up by teams other than the Hornets. According to the team, he will likely play just one game, and then return to active duty with the Hornets for Wednesday’s home game. The assignment is simply to allow him to get some additional playing time while the Hornets are on a short break. The Energy play the Sioux Falls Skyforce today at 4:00 central time. If you want to watch Henry, NBA.com streams all D-League games free of charge right here.
As I’ve mentioned before, the Hornets long term plans include getting a dedicated and more local D-League team.
Henry (6-6, 220), is in his second NBA season after being selected 12th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Kansas. He has appeared in 24 games for New Orleans this season, averaging 5.0 points and 1.9 rebounds. Last year, in 38 games (16 starts) for Memphis, Henry averaged 4.3 points and 1.0 rebound in 13.9 minutes of action. The 21-year-old from Oklahoma City played just one collegiate season at Kansas, becoming the first player in KU history to leave for the NBA after his freshman campaign, posting averages of 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 36 games. Henry was named to the 2010 All Big 12 Rookie Team and was a 2010 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Henry joins San Antonio Spurs’ point guard Tony Parker as the only current Belgium-born players in the NBA.
17 responses to “Xavier Henry Assigned to Iowa Energy of the D-League for One Game”
not a bad idea, some extended minutes should do him well. Send Aminu down too. All they need is some PT to be productive
Bust, bust, bust. We took another teams mistake in the draft. He is a perfect example of a player that should have stayed in college. Maybe an extended stay in the “minors” would do him some good. Maybe not. Don’t like his game one bit. Very inconsistent with his shot taking and making.
Even if your assessment is accurate(which I don’t think it is) it only cost us a 2nd round pick. Most 2nd rounder don’t pan out anyways.
Yes. Cost vs benefit. The other team may have made a mistake, but he cost us a second in the upcoming draft. So as long as he performs like a high second rounder out of that draft in the upcoming season, not this one, then it’s a wash, but we get the benefit of getting him time against pros and his production on the court now. Anything else is bonus.
Not only was Henry’s cost cheap (a 2nd rounder), but going down to the D League for a game while the Hornets have a lull don’t make him a bust.
Plus I think this is good psychology. Lance Thomas has a quote about being in the D League after his initial run with the Hornets ‘really motivated him never to go back to the D League again’. It might be good for Henry to see what another “professional” league looks like.
Excellent points.
Also, maybe he can work on going the other way with less consequence, eh?
Agreed, 42.
Also, the T-P has changed its story to leave Henry’s time in the D League more open ended than the one game they originally reported. They claim this is because Eric Gordon might return to the Hornets soon, which I have my questions about. Either way, a longer time in the D-League still doesn’t make Henry a bust.
There are 240 player-minutes on a Hornets game. The only way to get more player-minutes is to involve another team. Parallet development.
Also, the proper basis of comparison needs to be maintained.
They should Aminu down too while they’re at it.
Now that JSmith is back, will the Hornets release (or not sign to another 10-day contract) Jeff Foote?
I wouldn’t be crushed if we assigned Beli to the B(ench)-league to let Henry get some pt.
No need to hate on Marco… He’s playing pretty decent lately, IMO if he keeps playing like this he might be the future backup SG for us and not Henry.
He has been playing better, but I would hate for us to feel obligated to resign him this offseason (or throw money at another free agent sg to back up EG) simply because we aren’t sure if Henry is up to the task.
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