One of the most famous basketball families in Wichita is mourning a loss

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – One of Wichita’s most famous basketball families is mourning a loss.

James, Antoine, and Henry Ralondo Carr are three of the five siblings who played at Heights High School, starting their basketball legacy in Wichita. Two of them helped bring a state title in 1977. All three played at Wichita State University.

James Carr said losing his younger brother, Henry, at 59 was a wake-up call.

Henry died on Tuesday from complications with an infection.

“In our minds, we feel like we’re immortal, especially having got to the level that we did in sports. We feel like nothing can beat us, but then it kind of brings me back to reality,” said James.

James said his brother Henry, an All-American coming out of the Heights, decided to go to number one, Oklahoma. But Henry changed his mind at the last minute, stayed home and followed in James and Antoine’s footsteps, joining WSU.

“Wichita was home, the relationships we had with the community, the people here, it was something we couldn’t leave. At Heights, we built a tradition, and we wanted to keep the tradition here,” said James.

Henry was a starter on the 84-85 team that won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship. Eventually, they reached the NCAA tournament.

Xavier McDaniel, a star on that team, became close with the Carr family and said they shared a special bond through basketball.

“Henry started coming on during our senior year, which really helped; he started coming into his own; we were pretty close-knit as a group. Throughout our four years there in Wichita, it was us against the world,” said McDaniel.

They stood loose on the court, always cracking jokes in Henry’s direction.

“Me and Aubrey Sherrod were laughing earlier, about when Henry would get to that free throw line. I was on that line because I was like, I don’t know if he’s going to make it, but if he doesn’t make it, I’m going to be right there on that ball,” said McDaniel.

James finds peace knowing his younger brother is reunited with their late mother.

“I’m positive that they’re back together again. If anything, I was heart heartbroken by both situations, but I also realized that with the pain they were in, they’re in a better place,” said James.

Henry’s family is exploring options for a memorial service. No plans are set currently.

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