2009 Recruits

Today's Detroit Free Press has profiles of the six finalists for 2009 Miss Basketball in Michigan. Three of them (Nya Jordan, Jenny Ryan and Rachel Sheffer) are Michigan recruits:

Nya Jordan, 6-1 Forward, Detroit Community

College: Michigan.

Biggest area of improvement: Shooting.

Best move: Attacking the basket with a crossover dribble for a lay-up.

Favorite athlete: LeBron James.

Favorite class: Art.

Favorite book: "Ordinary People" by Judith Guest.

Top Opponent: Erica Solomon, Country Day, Notre Dame.

When my career is finished I will: "Try to open up an advertising business."

Overview: She was a solid inside player on last season's Class B runner-up. But over the spring and summer her perimeter skills blossomed and she became a national recruit. She still spends a lot of time playing inside because that is where her team needs her and she is a handful in the paint.

Jenny Ryan, 5-9 Guard, Saginaw Nouvel

College: Michigan.

Biggest area of improvement: Jump shot.

Best move: In transition, pulls up for a jump shot or uses a crossover and drives to the basket.

Favorite athlete: Cal Ripken Jr.

Favorite class: Yearbook.

Favorite book: "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown.

Top Opponent: Kellie Watson, Ionia and Notre Dame.

When my career is finished I will: "Coach basketball at the college level."

Overview: She is the ultimate team leader. She has led Nouvel to a pair of Class C state championships and is gunning for No. 3. She is a demon on defense and, between deflections and steals, she gets her hands on 12 balls a game. She has become a better perimeter shooter.

Rachel Sheffer, 6-1 Center, Watervliet

College: Michigan.

Biggest area of improvement: Ballhandling.

Best move: Takes the ball from the left wing, uses a dribble hop-step for a lay-up.

Favorite athlete: Candace Parker.

Favorite class: Media.

Favorite book: "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton.

Top Opponent: Kellie Watson, Ionia and Notre Dame.

When my career is finished I will: "Become a first-grade teacher."

Overview: One of the state's best all-around athletes, she earned all-state honors in basketball, volleyball and softball. She has to play inside because of her size, but she has perimeter skills and can fill a lane on the fast break.