Dunning's Final Five

PHOTOS BY GLENN NELSON

It is that time of the year folks. Fall is here and the class of 2008 can begin their unofficial visits. This forces players with longer lists to start paring it down as the NCAA allows just five official visits per player. One of the nation's top post prospects, Ayana Dunning, the 6-foot-3, five-star post from Eastmoor High School in Columbus, Ohio, has narrowed her list of suitors to five with Illinois, a newcomer to the list, LSU, Ohio State, Rutgers and USC remaining in the hunt according to her club team coach Jay Bee Bethea of All-Ohio.

Ayana Dunning battles Kelsey Bone

Dunning is on an official visit to Illinois this weekend where new head coach Jolette Law looks to build her program into a Big Ten powerhouse. Illinois is also in the mix for April Sykes the No. 2 player in the class from East Oktibbeha County HS in Crawford, Miss. Landing one or two of these top prospects in her first year on the job would be a huge boost to the program. Ohio State is also intriguing as Dunning's former frontcourt mate from All-Ohio, Jantel Lavender, the No. 3 ranked player in the 2007 class according to HoopGurlz.com is starting her freshman year there. The two played fantastic together a year ago on the summer circuit and would be an imposing force for head coach Jim Foster and the Buckeyes.

After the Illinois trip Dunning, who averaged 17 points per game as a Junior, will head to Los Angeles to make an official visit with USC. USC is also rumored to be the leader for 2009 post Monique Oliver which would form another dynamic frontcourt duo in years to come.

Speaking of teammates, another All-Ohio player is getting close to a decision in Amber Stokes, the No. 63 ranked prospect according to HoopGurlz.com from Lincoln High School in Gahana, Oh. Stokes is a 5-10, hyper athletic guard who can get to the basket and is fantastic in transition. She is considering Illinois, Louisville and Ohio State.

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Chris Hansen is the National Director of Scouting for Women’s Basketball at HoopGurlz.com. He leads the panel that evaluates and ranks girl's basketball prospects nationally for HoopGurlz. Chris has been involved in the women’s basketball community since 1998 as a coach, trainer, evaluator and reporter. He can be reached at chris@hoopgurlz.com [1].

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