For many high school athletes, the thought of being recruited by a Division I school is just a far-off dream; for others it is a horribly confusing reality. The top recruits are often hounded by top programs, and the myriad of options can be utterly overwhelming. When it comes down to it, only the recruit can make the final decision upon what school would be best for them, and hope that everything works out for the best.
For many recruits, the decision is a little bit easier, and they make commitments to schools before signing day as soon as they are sure they've found a school - and program - with which they are comfortable. Virginia women's basketball has been on the receiving end of those decisions in the past two weeks, as three high school seniors elected to make verbal commitments to the Cavaliers' squad for 2002-2003.
Tiffany Sardin, a highly touted guard from Chicago committed to the Cavaliers after her official visit.
"I kind of knew where I wanted to go, and my family helped me," Sardin said. "They thought it would be good to get far away" to Virginia.
Although Sardin may be far from her home state when she comes to Virginia, she may well find a home on the court with the Cavaliers' women. The 6-foot-1 Sardin is athletic and has a knack for hitting shots outside the arc that only adds to her appeal. She is ranked 37th in the nation and third in the nation at her position by the All-Star Girls' Report and still has her senior season ahead of her.
What the numbers can't tell you is how Sardin feels about choosing Virginia. Her official visit left her with a good impression of Virginia's program and with the confidence that she will be able to pursue a major in sports medicine. She readily admits that she is excited about coming to Virginia.
"I just love" Virginia coach Debbie Ryan and her staff, Sardin said. "They're cool, they're real funny. The other girls are real nice and cool too."
Sardin also has a connection to current Virginia freshman Brandi Teamer, who is expected to make an impression on the Cavaliers' frontcourt this season. Teamer and Sardin played on the same AAU team in Illinois, which could make Sardin's transition to college life and college basketball that much easier.
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Richmond, Calif., native Deidre Chapman also committed to Virginia in recent weeks. Chapman stands at 6-6, which would make her the tallest Virginia player since Elena Kravchenko, a 6-10 forward from Minsk, Belarus, who graduated last year.
Chapman, the No. 45 player in the country overall according to the All-Star Girls' Report, is "very athletic," said Bret McCormick, a recruiting analyst for the All-Star Girls' Report. "The only thing she needs to do is get a little stronger."
When the slender Chapman takes on a college-level weight training program, she may then be able to take on other college-sized centers.
Charita Roberts, a 5-7 guard from Winchester, Va., committed to the Cavaliers more than a month ago. She can play point guard, but McCormick claims she is a more natural shooter.
"There's two types of point guards: One that runs your show and can score, and one who can always score but doesn't do as much of the show. She's more of the second," McCormick said.
Either way, Roberts' talents will be a useful addition to the fast-growing recruiting class of 2002-2003, when Roberts, Chapman and Sardin all plan to call Virginia home.
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