Stefanie Dolson had taken her visits. She had weighed her options and figured out where she would fit in best.
In the end, the answer is UConn. Dolson, a 6-foot-5 center from Port Jervis, N.Y., gave an oral commitment to attend UConn Christmas Day, Marc Riley, the Program Director of the NY Elite AAU club, confirmed today. She becomes the second member of the Class of 2010 to offer a commitment to Huskies coach Geno Auriemma, joining Samarie Walker, a 6-1 swingman from Dayton, Ohio.
“I think the UConn tradition speaks for itself,’’ Riley said. “And I just think with the skill set that she has she’s a perfect mix for what they do and in terms of what they’re going to ask her to do. So I think she’s going to get can continue the tradition there. he best of both worlds. Quality kid. Quality program. And then hopefully she can continue the tradition there.’’
Dolson ultimately selected UConn over Maryland, Rutgers, Duke and Penn State. She visited all five schools during the recruiting process, including a visit to UConn in September when she attended a Huskies’ football game against Virginia at Rentschler Field Sept. 13.
“From what I gather about Stefanie, when she makes up her mind on something she’s pretty much going to see it through,’’ Riley said. “I know she had her fair share of unofficial visits and she’s been to a number of schools. I know she felt comfortable making that decision early rather than later.’’
Dolson, who is ranked No. 10 by ESPN HoopGurlz, averaged 18.9 points, 14.6 rebounds and four blocks last season in leading Minisink Valley High to the Section 9 Class AA state championship game. She finished with a game-high 26 points in a 53-46 loss to Kingston in the final and is currently averaging 19.7 points this season for the Warriors (4-2).
Dolson also earned All-American honors after averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds in leading the N.Y. Elite Silver Bullets to the AAU junior national championship in Orlando, Fla. last July.
“The best thing I think about her overall game is her passing ability,’’ Riley said. “She thinks the game. I call her like a throwback big. A lot of this type of game involves a lot of girls that are 6-3, 6-4 starting to step out on the perimeter and things like that. She’s the traditional back-to-basket type of a center. She does a lot of the dirty work. Her passing ability is exceptional. She does what a center is supposed to do.’’
Walker, a junior who attends the same high school (Chaminade-Julienne) as former UConn standout Tamika (Williams) Raymond, gave an oral commitment to attend UConn during an unofficial visit Oct. 17. She is regarded as the top overall player in the class.
The Huskies would like to land one more post player in this class. They remain involved with Orsi Szecsi, a 6-3 Hungarian forward from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., Michala Johnson, a 6-3 forward from Montini High in Lombard, Ill. and Sheronne Vails, a 6-4 forward from Arundel High in Gambrills, MD.
Johnson is rated No. 16 by ESPN HoopGurlz.
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