Cavs’ recruiting haul rated 2nd in nation

Due to NCAA restrictions, Virginia coach Debbie Ryan is essentially in hush mode in regards to recruiting.
Those regulations keep the women’s basketball coach from mentioning names and specifics surrounding the chase for recruits for the Class of 2009 until after November’s signing day.
Those limitations, however, cannot squash the current vibration in Ryan’s voice. Having the nation’s second-best recruiting class, as ranked by one national service, has that type of impact on a coach.
Thus far, Ryan’s program has received five verbal commitments, the most recent of which came Sunday from China Crosby, who is rated the No. 2 point guard in the country in next year’s class by ESPN.
The Cavaliers have addressed needs in the frontcourt, landing three post players in Erinn Thompson, Simone Egwu and Telia McCall. In addition to Crosby, Ryan also secured the services of guard Lexie Gerson. Four of the five are ranked among the nation’s top 71 recruits.
Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, the top player from Virginia, is also a
target. She, along with the commitments, made an official visit to Charlottesville this past weekend and is nearing a decision.
After mixed results in the past few seasons in recruiting, Ryan said the credit should be given to her assistant coaches — both past and present.
“We have always been able to recruit fairly well but a lot of this is the way that we have been able to build off of things going all the way back to Audra Smith, Tim Taylor, Jenn Hoover and the way that they set things up, set the table,” Ryan said. “Some of the top players are connected to some of them. We were just able to keep things moving in that direction.
“I think my staff and Jeff House, as the recruiting coordinator, has done a great job of really staying focused on what our needs where and being able to go after that.”
Curtis Loyd, Angel Elderkin and House also attempt to ensure that Ryan balances her schedule to perfection, handling duties with her current players and her recruiting schedule as best as possible.
“All three of them help me get to where I need to go as fast as they can and then get me back,” Ryan said. “They really do play a huge part in what we do with recruiting.
“They are all out there seeing people every year and they bring kids to the table. Basically, I just finish it.”
Ryan has also worked wonders, numerous recruits pointed out.
“As soon as I walked in her office it was like a point-guard-and-coach-type relationship,” Crosby said. “She opened up the door and was asking point guard questions. She told me I was going to run a lot. It was amazing. We really bonded.
“She told me that I can be a leader of this team and that is a big aspect over the next four years. She has been very supportive of me.”
Crosby, the top-ranked player in the Cavaliers’ class thus far, said Virginia became her leader early after building a relationship with House and the team’s assistant coaches.
“You know that you are going to have support when you get there,” the Bronx, N.Y., native said. “You can have support anywhere, but I bonded quicker with them. You see their faces all the time and they are always confident. That is what I like about them.
“I really love the whole coaching staff.”
Crosby said she and her fellow commitments pointed out to Ruffin-Pratt that she has two choices. She could elect to play with the players in the recruiting class or against them for four years.
“This group is going to do some damage either way. Right now, we are the Fab Five,” Crosby said. “We are trying to get the Super Six. We are trying to get Tierra.
“Playing against her was hard enough, but playing with her … we can do damage.”