Buford and Henry Leave Kansas Men's Basketball Team
Aug. 18, 2010
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas coach Bill Self announced Tuesday that Chase Buford and C.J. Henry have left the KU men’s basketball program. Self said Buford will remain a student at KU pursuing his degree, while Henry plans to pursue his basketball career elsewhere.
Buford was a three-year letterwinner for the Jayhawks; he was a member of the 2008 NCAA National Championship team, won three Big 12 regular-season titles and two Big 12 Tournament championships. The 6-3 guard from San Antonio, Texas, appeared in 36 games and averaged 1.7 minutes, 0.3 points and 0.5 rebounds per contest while donning the Crimson and Blue. Kansas was 97-14, including 55-0, at Allen Fieldhouse during Buford’s career.
“We, as coaches, have thoroughly enjoyed having Chase as a member of our program the last three years,” Self said. “I totally understand – this being his senior year and the time commitment involved – that he wants to pursue some other interests and also enjoy being a normal college student for his final campaign. He’ll always be a Jayhawk. He will always be part of our program but certainly we respect the fact that he has other interests and wish him the very best.”
Henry was a redshirt freshman last season who played in 13 games for the Jayhawks winning the Big 12 regular-season and postseason championships. The 6-4 Oklahoma City guard battled injuries during the season and averaged 5.6 minutes and 3.1 points in 2009-10. Henry made 52.4 percent (11-for-21) of his shots from beyond the arc last season. Henry played professional baseball in the New York Yankees organization from 2005-08 and transferred to KU from Memphis.
“C.J. informed us toward the end of July that he was going to look into other options to further his basketball career,” Self said. “At this date, I do not know if anything has officially been decided on what he will be doing or where he will be attending, but he has decided to leave KU. It’s a decision I totally respect. The Henrys have been Jayhawks for many, many years and certainly Xavier (Henry) had an outstanding freshman campaign. C.J. battled injuries all year long but has been healthy this past spring and summer. He is a good player. He was definitely in the mix for being a major contributor on the court this season but we respect his desires and certainly wish him the best. I know he will be successful wherever he goes.”
Kansas returns two starters – Marcus Morris and Tyshawn Taylor – and 12 letterwinners from last season’s team which went 33-3, 15-1 and first place in the Big 12 regular-season, the conference postseason champion and was ranked No. 1 for 15 weeks in 2009-10. Redshirt senior guard Brady Morningstar, who started 34 games in 2008-09, is one of four seniors on the KU squad this year joining Mario Little, Tyrel Reed and Conner Teahan.
“We’re very excited about this upcoming season,” Self said. “My batteries are recharged and I think the players are as well. I think we have had the best spring and arguably the best summer with our guys from a personal improvement standpoint. We have a nice nucleus returning but have other players that just haven’t had the opportunity to show what they can do yet, waiting and chomping at the bit to put themselves in a position to be on the court. This will be a fun and athletic team.”
