Nets work out KU duo

The New Jersey Nets, who have picks 10, 21 and 40 in the 2008 NBA Draft, will be working out a pair of Jayhawks next week.

Darrell Arthur will be in New Jersey on Wednesday and Brandon Rush on Friday.

Former Jayhawk J.R. Giddens, who completed his career at New Mexico, will work out with the Nets on Thursday.

Rush to Suns?

ESPN.com’s Chad Ford on Wednesday looked into rumors that Rush would be a lock to be tapped by Phoenix at No. 15 in the first round.

“I spoke with Steve Kerr (Suns’ GM) and Rush’s agent, Mark Bartelstein,” Ford wrote in his column. “Kerr acknowledged that the Suns like Rush and he’d be a great fit, but also said the Suns are bringing in around 20 players (for workouts) for their pick. Bartelstein said Rush is working out for teams drafting before and after the Suns.”

Henry tastes AAU glory

Xavier Henry, the No. 2 prospect in the recruiting Class of 2009, scored 17 points to help Oklahoma Athletes First to a 71-70 victory over New York’s Gauchos in the title game of the Nike Memorial Day AAU Classic on Monday in Nashville.

Henry, a 6-foot-6 senior-to-be out of Putnam City (Okla.) High, is expected ultimately to choose KU or Memphis.

“Henry’s squad won the championship, and he was the main reason for their success,” Rivals.com analyst Jerry Meyer said. “The top prospect in the tournament, Henry put up big scoring numbers throughout the event. Most impressive from a scouting perspective was the way Henry attacked the basket off the dribble rather than settling for long-range jumpers. He looks bigger and stronger every time we see him, and Henry is getting more mileage out of his impressive physique.”

Analysts are starting to believe he may not stick around long in college.

“Simply put, this guy is one of the most well-rounded prospects out there, and he has ‘one-and-done’ written all over him,” said Nathan McCauley of hoopsreport.com.

Lawson takes stance

KU coach Bill Self recently made a bold statement concerning players like KU’s Arthur and Mario Chalmers who declare for the draft, but do not sign with agents.

“When they declare, I don’t think they really want to be here anyway,” Self said of players in general.

North Carolina sophomore Ty Lawson confirmed that stance. He pointed out to ESPN’s Andy Katz that it was not correct to say he was merely “testing the waters,” as a North Carolina news release indicated.

“That’s not the truth,” he told Katz. “Everybody is in the draft to stay in the draft unless (they get hurt). Comments like that are misleading to NBA teams, to say we’re just testing the waters.”