OxfordPress.com

Samarie Walker made her desire to play basketball for the University of Connecticut reality on Saturday, Oct. 18, by giving a verbal commitment to UConn coach Geno Auriemma.

The 6-foot-1 junior at Chaminade-Julienne High School is considered the top player in the country in the 2010 recruiting class. She cannot officially sign a letter-of-intent with the perennial contender for the women's NCAA Division I national championship until November 2010.

This is the earliest that a girls basketball player from Dayton area has made a college commitment to a national power.

Walker was special mention on the Associated Press Division I All-Ohio team last season averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.

She had made no secret in media interviews that UConn was at the top of her list along with Rugters, Duke, Georgia and Maryland.

"I've wanted to go to UConn since the fourth grade," said Walker, who visited the campus with her family Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday. "The visit to campus was even more than I expected.

"The girls on the team treated me great. I felt like I really fit in. I spent most of the day with them on Friday and attended Midnight Madness (the first night of basketball practice). The atmosphere was great with all the fans there."

Following breakfast Saturday morning she attended practice and then told Auriemma she wanted to play for him.

"I'm relived getting my decision out of the way," she said. "Now I can concentrate on my grades and working on my game."

Auriemma said she could play the No. 1 (point guard), No. 2 (off guard) or No. 3 (small forward) spot for the Huskies and wanted her to concentrate on improving her ball handling, passing and outside shot.

She is the second player from C-J to attend UConn. Tamika Williams won two national titles with the Huskies. "I remember watching Tamika in high school and then at UConn and dreaming of playing for them," she said. "Now my dream has come true."

Walker is the second area girl to recently commit to a national top 10 program. Mikaela Ruef, a 6-3 senior center from Beavercreek, gave a verbal to Stanford on Sept. 29. She will sign her letter of intent in early November.