Published: 5/11/2007
Author: Bob_Richards
© Old Gold Free Press Columnists
Purdue to receive two visitorsThe West Lafayette campus not only plans to host parents and graduates this weekend for commencement, Purdue head coach Sharon Versyp and the Boilermakers are hosting what they hope might be two future Purdue graduates.
The first official visit is Antoinette Howard, a 5'11 wing that was just recently released from her letter of intent at the University of Florida after the firing of Carolyn Peck. Howard played high school ball for South Gwinnett High School in Loganville (GA), where she averaged 15.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior. As a junior, Howard averaged 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Howard is ranked No. 41 by All Star Girls Report and No. 53 by Blue Star. She originally chose Florida over a final five that also included Purdue, Louisville, Miami and Michigan State.
The second visitor this weekend is 6'5 junior center Sarah Boothe from Warren High (IL), visiting Purdue unofficially. Boothe averaged 16.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 3.4 blocked shots per game as a junior, finishing the year with a three-year point total of 1,403 points. Named the Lake County Player-of-the-Year, Boothe has also visited Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Stanford.
Like Brittany Rayburn, she has been invited to attend the USA Basketball Developmental Camp June 13-17 in Colorado Springs. She is playing summer ball with Full Package. Hoopgurlz rates her as the No. 24 prospect in the class of 2008.
Big Ten Recruiting
Indiana signed a true point guard for the upcoming 2007-08 season last Friday. Whitney Lindsay, a 5'7 point from St. Peter's in Mansfield, OH chose Indiana over offers form Liberty and Manhattan. Lindsay is a first-team, Division IV All-Ohio honoree who averaged 21.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 5.5 steals per game as a senior.
Just before Illinois coach Teresa Grentz was shown the door, Illinois received a verbal commitment from Illinois junior Lana Rukavina. Rukavina intends to honor her commitment despite the Grentz departure. A 6'3 center from Wheeling (IL), Rukavina averaged 12.6 ppg and 7.6 rpg for 23-7 Wheeling this past season. She chose the Illini over Northwestern, Iowa and Miami. Rukavina plays club ball for Full Package.
While Illinois can rest easier with Rukavina's repledge post-coaching change, Michigan State may have to wait. Before McCallie's exodus from East Lansing, Michigan State had received a commitment from junior Brandie Baker of Flint Hamady (MI). The 6'0 guard averaged 15 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists and was one of four juniors named to the Michigan Class C all-state team.
READ MORE: Big Ten Recruiting: Commitments
