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Henry said Memphis never really got to see his game. "The injury kind of took away from the (rookie) experience," he said. "But I'm ready to get back in shape and start playing again. ... My family did a good job of keeping me level- headed. I just kept having faith that everything happens for a reason. I'll be back. I'll be back better and stronger." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Xavier Henry, Injuries 

Chris Vernon: for Grizzlies fans- was told today that Xavier Henry is running, jumpin, cuttin and is fine - Rudy Gay workin out but still cannot shoot Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, Xavier Henry, Injuries 

Chris Herrington: Xavier Henry said he could need surgery on his knee but is hoping it won't come to that. Hopes to be cleared for full work in 3-4 weeks. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Xavier Henry, Injuries 

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that rookie guard Xavier Henry will be sidelined for the next four weeks as he continues his rehabilitation for a right knee sprain. He will be re-evaluated after that time. The 6-6, 220-pound guard has missed 12 games this season, including the last four-in-a-row, due to right knee soreness. He scored four points in eight minutes in his latest appearance on Feb. 22 at Denver. My FOX Memphis

Memphis Grizzlies, Xavier Henry, Injuries 

Xavier Henry will travel to New York soon to visit doctors for a second opinion on his knee. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Xavier Henry, Injuries 

Meanwhile, Henry launched shots in an attempt to stay in rhythm. There is no timetable for his return. "It's disappointing," Henry said. "It would be disappointing if I was just sitting on the bench, too. I just want to play. That's all. I just hope in a couple of days that I'll be back." The Griz play next at Utah on Saturday. Henry suffered the injury late last week during a scrimmage at practice. "My knee went a little further back than it should have," Henry said. "It limits my jumping, my running and my timing. Everything. In time, it'll be alright." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Xavier Henry, Injuries 

Plus, Memphis got a season-high 41 points from its new-look bench. Guard O.J. Mayo came off the bench for a second straight game. Hollins said he has decided to put Mayo with the reserves so the third-year guard can be featured offensively and give the bench scoring punch. Rookie guard Xavier Henry started in place of Mayo, scoring nine points in 23 minutes. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, OJ Mayo, Xavier Henry 

Conley called Mayo’s adjustment to coming off the bench the “X-factor” in terms of chemistry. Mayo agreed, judging by his postgame comments. “It was different,” Mayo said of his new role. “I just have to be patient and understand that when I get in there, just be aggressive. I have to know the reason I’m coming off the bench, play hard, and provide energy, scoring and leadership. I’m definitely a team player.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, OJ Mayo, Xavier Henry 

Marc J. Spears: Grizzlies announce signing of first round picks Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez to multi-year contracts. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry 

It has been a week since Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley cleared the way for his rookies to sign contracts. But Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez have yet to officially sign, despite Heisley's decision to remove performance incentives from the team's offer. General manager Chris Wallace said Thursday that both contracts will be finalized by Monday when the team hosts media day. Training camp practices begin Tuesday in Memphis. "It's a procedural thing," Wallace said. "I'm confident it'll get done. There are I's to dot and T's to cross in every contract. There's nothing adversarial right now. It just has to do with language. And we didn't get started on it until earlier this week." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley, Chris Wallace 

Heisley eventually relented, saying he was on the wrong side of the issue. Wallace reiterated that the Griz have not changed their stance. "The heavy lifting is behind us," Wallace said Thursday. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley, Chris Wallace 

Vasquez and fellow rookie Xavier Henry -- the Grizzlies' first-round draft picks -- have reason to be upbeat after learning they are no longer in a contract impasse with the team. Both players will soon sign contracts minus the performance bonuses Griz owner Michael Heisley pushed to no avail. Heisley decided Wednesday to remove performance incentives that were at the crux of a summer-long stalemate with his rookies. "As far as I'm concerned we'll move on. My client is really happy. He's thrilled," said Herb Rudoy, who represents Vasquez. "Mike Heisley is a good guy. He just had something in mind the rest of the league wasn't interested in. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley 

While Henry prepared to hold out if no agreement was reached by the start of training camp Sept. 28, Vasquez was set to report. Rudoy said he was preparing a counterproposal that would have his client accept less stringent performance bonuses in an effort to end the stalemate. "I was going to resolve this one way or the other," Rudoy said. "I wanted him to start to learn the system and start his career. My style is to get deals done. Now it's over. I'm not going to worry about it." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley 

The Grizzlies removed performance-based bonuses from contract offers to Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez, and the first-round draft picks could sign deals as soon as Thursday. Team owner Michael Heisley said Wednesday night that he was on the wrong side of the issue and made his decision after NBA officials provided an in-depth explanation with regards to the spirit of the collective bargaining agreement. Henry and Vasquez have been in a contract stalemate with the Grizzlies since the June draft. Henry even refused to play for the Grizzlies' summer league squad. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley 

Heisley said both players will be offered 120 percent of the rookie salary scale without performance requirements. "In the general spirit of the way it (the CBA) was put together I felt we should relent and not have a performance situation," Heisley said. "I don't think I was on the right side of the issue." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley 

The Grizzlies report for Media Day Sept. 27 and begin training camp practices the next day, and still there is no movement on contract stalemates between the team and rookies Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez. There have been little-to-no conversations between the sides since the Griz participated in Summer League in July. And while armchair NBA executives and agents have spent a lot of time talking about Henry's impasse and how unjust it is, the real victim arguably is Vasquez. When, and if, the Grizzlies continue dialogue in an attempt to get the rookies signed, sealed and delivered to training camp, the team should consider lightening the incentive load Vasquez must meet in order to receive a 20-percent bonus. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry 

One of these days, when he finally signs his NBA rookie contract, former Kansas University guard Xavier Henry will be a millionaire at the ripe young age of 19. In the interim — as Henry’s agent, Arn Tellem, and Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley haggle over about $300,000 — the former Kansas University guard is “working out” and “chilling out” on KU’s campus. “It’s not really stressful. I just get anxious. I’m just waiting for something to happen,” Henry said Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse. “It’s been awhile (since June 24 NBA Draft) so I’m just hoping every day something new pops up so we know where I’m at. All I can do is keep working out and getting better. “I’m going to let my agent handle it. He’s one of the best. I know he knows what he’s doing way more than what I do (so), I’m letting him handle it.” Lawrence Journal-World

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Xavier Henry 

He hopes Grizzlies fans don’t hold this contract impasse against him. “I would hope they don’t think it’s me trying to hold out to play like I’m a stingy person or anything,” said Henry, a 6-6 guard from Oklahoma City. “The basic principle is if everybody gets what they are supposed to get, then there’s no problem. They are trying to change it a little this year (adding incentives). I respect that, so I’m just going to do what I have to do — me and my agent.” Lawrence Journal-World

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Xavier Henry 

On the Xavier Henry contract situation, which takes up a large portion of the interview: Heisley: The facts are that in the collective bargaining agreement for draft contracts, there is 40% available [for negotiation]. So we put in some performance criteria and the agent for Xavier, Arn Tellem, he thinks that's not right and not fair and he's advised his client not to sign. Vernon: And you admit this is not the way business is usually conducted with rookies and their contracts and this is why Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez are the only two rookies still unsigned? You understand that you're the ones doing this and you're fine with that? Heisley: What do you mean? We're the ones doing what? Vernon: You are adding the performance bonus. It is typically customary to give the player the 120% of their rookie scale, and, in fact, that is what you've done in the past. Heisley: I'll be very honest with you, I have not handled this in the past. And, quite honestly, I wasn't even aware that was in the collective bargaining agreement until this year. Memphis Flyer

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley 

Vernon: Did this way of conducting business regarding the rookie contracts just come to you after reading the collective bargaining agreement? It appears as if you had this epiphany after reading the collective bargaining agreement — 'Oh my god, why are we conducting our business this way. Here I am reading the collective bargaining agreement and we don't have to do it this way.' Heisley: I've never seen the collective bargaining agreement. Vernon: What? Heisley: I've never seen it. Vernon: How is that possible? Heisley: It's very possible. Are there things you haven't seen in your life? Vernon: Well, I don't own an NBA franchise. Heisley: What would you do, study the collective bargaining agreement? Vernon: Absolutely. Memphis Flyer

Memphis Grizzlies, Draft, Xavier Henry, Michael Heisley