STORY & PHOTOS BY GLENN NELSON Conveniently, both incoming classes are here - intact - at the USA Basketball U19 Trials. Convenient, that is, for Delle Donne, who is the only uncommitted player at the trials and wanted to check the vibe of potential teammates before making her final cutdown of schools later this month. Yet, if this is an audition for the privilege of becoming teammates of one of the more unique players to come down the road in years, you couldn't really tell. "I think it's great that she's doing that," said Angie Bjorklund, the No. 2 prospect in 2007 and a Tennessee signee. "It shouldn't change anything for us. If I were in her position, I'd want everyone to be themselves." Kelley Cain, the No. 2 center prospect in 2007 and future teammate of Bjorklund's, said, "There is no need to sugarcoat anything." The consistent theme from Bjorklund and her fellow Class of 2011 Lady Vols, and the Class of 2011 Huskies was this: no pressure tactics, help her make the best decision for herself. It's quite a departure from, say, boys, who'd speak of assembling dominating teams and helping each other reach the pro level. On the other hand, all the girls acknowledged that personal contact and personal relationships are important to the recruiting process. The members of 2007's No. 1 ranked recruiting class - Bjorklund, Cain, Vicki Baugh and Sydney Smallbone - all made a visit to Tennessee together. Future UConn teammates Maya Moore, the class' No. 1 prospect, and Lorin Dixon, a top-ranked guard, know each other from playing in what is considered one of the greatest girl's high-school basketball games ever - during the championship of the Nike Tournament of Champions in 2005. "Establishing relationships with some people is important," Moore said. "When you meet and get to know another recruit, you know you'll get along with one person on the team, at least." Moore, who said she considers Delle Donne a friend, says she'll answer any questions, but will not pressure. Her mission is clear. "I just hope," she said, "I don't do anything this weekend to make her mad or anything."
Maya Moore (left) eyes potential teammate Elena Delle Donne
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Connecticut and Tennessee are the two superpowers in women's college basketball, yet don't often clash in the arms race for talent. This year is different, as both appear on the list of Elena Delle Donne, the No. 1 prospect in 2008, according to HoopGurlz.com. Not only that, they are considered the front-runners in Delle Donne's recruitment and already boast two of the best incoming classes in the country. 
UConn-bound Lorin Dixon & Maya Moore
Tennessee signees Sydney Smallbone, Kelley Cain & Angie Bjorklund
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Glenn Nelson is the publisher of HoopGurlz.com. He also founded and coached the Dragons and Northwest HoopGurlz select girl's basketball teams. Glenn previously was the editor-in-chief at Scout.com and a longtime, national-award-winning basketball columnist and writer for The Seattle Times. His work also has appeared in several books and national magazines. He is co-author of "Rising Stars: The Ten Best Players in the NBA" (Rosen Publishing, 2002). For more on Glenn's World, click here [1]. He can be reached at glenn@hoopgurlz.com [2].
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