Familiarity didn't exactly breed contempt in this case, it prompted curiosity about the rest of the country.

"I wanted to leave the state," the No. 18 prospect in the HoopGurlz Hundred said, explaining her commitment on Sunday to Washington. "I know all the Big 12 schools pretty well. I wanted to see something different."

At 6 feet 1, Lay is a Barkley-esque forward who is built like a post and is nimble as a wing. She is strong and explosive enough to mix it up inside against bigger players, but also can create her own shot off the dribble, attack the rim, and drop jumpers from mid-range.

"I've always been a bigger player," Lay said. "When my growing started slowing down, I started working on my guard skills. When you are a post, you're always getting fouled on your finishes. When you add the dribble, it's easier to finish because you're already used to getting fouled."

Lay blew up as a recruit after an eye-opening summer with the Tulsa Swoosh. "I couldn't count the number of schools on my fingers and toes, and borrow your fingers and toes," said the jovial Lay. "The number of schools (recruiting her) grew quite a bit."

In the end, Lay took official visits to Louisville on Oct. 15, Washington on Oct. 18 and Rutgers on Oct. 27. Her pledge leaves Nneka Ogwumike, the No. 6 prospect out of Cy-Fair, Texas, as the only uncommitted prospect among HoopGurlz.com top 20. The early signing period for college basketball begins Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Washington's 2007 class included the Nos. 36 (Kali Bennett), 66 (Sarah Morton), 83 (Candice Nichols) and 102 (Katelan Redmon) prospects in the country, plus the centerpiece, post Jessica McCormack of New Zealand, who was not ranked. It was a group originally recruited by June Daugherty, who was not retained by Washington and was hired by Washington State. Jackson, a well-regarded recruiter under Gail Goestenkors at Duke, had to re-recruit each of the 2007 players, as well as Kingma, who recently confirmed her verbal to Washington.

"It is a risk to go so far, but it also isn't a risk," Lay said. "I can always go home. I'm very well grounded in my spiritual life. I prayed on this decision, and this is where my prayers led me. You could say this is a where-my-heart-led me kind of thing."

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