KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee coach Holly Warlick has produced mixed results on the court early in her debut season. Her first recruiting class looks like a winner.
Warlick demonstrated the Lady Vols could attract elite talent in the post-Pat Summitt era Wednesday by receiving a letter of intent from Springfield (Ore.) post player Mercedes Russell, rated by ESPN's HoopGurlz recruiting service as the nation's No. 1 player in her class.
Tennessee also signed Owings Mills (Md.) New Town guard Jannah Tucker, the No. 8 player in the HoopGurlz rankings. Portland (Ore.) Central Catholic guard Jordan Reynolds, ranked 42nd by HoopGurlz, has verbally committed to Tennessee and expects to sign with the Lady Vols on Friday.
Tennessee officials said Russell is the highest-rated prospect to sign with Tennessee since Candace Parker in 2004.
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