Joining Recruiting Report for today's edition of Five questions is Chris Hansen, girls basketball scout and analyst for ESPN HoopGurlz.

Hansen didn't get a chance to see 2009 Terps commitment and Riverdale Baptist forward Tianna Hawkins this summer, but he did watch Bear, Del., point guard Dara Taylor, and came away very impressed.

How did Maryland’s commitments fare on the AAU circuit this summer?

Dara Taylor is the big early commitment and her play this summer was fantastic. We saw her early in the summer at the Regional Skills Academy [in Houston]. They do a lot of drill work, but her play at the Nike Nationals [in North Augusta, S.C.], which is arguably the biggest, most competitive tournament of the summer, with only 24 elite teams, [was great]. The way her team plays is five in, five out and that’s kind of tough to find a groove. But she came in and hit the floor for the Philly Belles and she was awesome. They knocked off one of the best teams in [Dallas-Fort Worth Elite]. She helped orchestrate the win against DFW, the first time they lost all summer. [2010 point guard] Odyssey Sims is an excellent defender and she was all over her, but she just handled it. She plays with a lot of poise. She’s not the strongest build, but she plays stronger than her build. He’s got enough individual skills one-on-one, she can shake players, create her own shot and she knows how to run a system. When the shot clock is running down, she’ll make that Kristi Toliver play.

Taylor was unranked by HoopGurlz when she committed last year. Now she’s up to No. 52 in the country. How did she elevate her stock so much?

Especially in that last tournament, the stakes don’t get any higher. So the opinion we had of her before [was when she was] not one of the upperclassmen [on her AAU team]. That team ran through Caroline Doty and some other players. Caroline’s at UConn this year. But I think we just got the chance to see more of her. I know we elevated her. We just had to get a really good look at her. She played well all summer for them. She played at the AAU invitational right at the beginning of the summer, they brought 16 teams in and [the Philly Belles] made the final four. She played well at the right times. A lot of these kids prove it against average high school competition. The level [of play this summer] is against the best [competition], and she proved it. She definitely proved it this summer.

What can Maryland fans expect from Taylor as a freshman?

Don’t be surprised if she earns playing time. I don’t think she’s going to come in and be an all-conference player right off the bat, but once she builds strength, you’re going to see a lot of things you like in Kristi Toliver. It’s interesting they recruited a player with so many of the same attributes. She’s a shifty point guard. She’ll knock down the 3, and she can create her own shot. I might have seen her play her best game ever, but she has plenty of basketball IQ. You talk after the game and she’s a team-first interview. Personality-wise, Maryland fans are going to fall in love with this kid. On the court she’s going to get it done. Getting physically stronger will allow her to make an even bigger impact.

What are the Terps looking for to fill out their 2009 class?

I’m not sure how many scholarships Maryland has open, but I can see they’re trying to find a post. [UM is involved with] Kelsey Bone (Sugarland, Texas), Monique Oliver (Long Beach, Calif.), Joslyn Tinkle (Missoula, Mont.), Waltia Rolle out of Texas and Kristi Bellock out of Louisiana, a big, strong forward as well. Alyssa Bennett out of Virginia, I think most people overlook her because there are so many stars on Boo Williams. Tamika Willis out of Georgia, I believe they made her final five. So it looks like they’re going to add at least one post player in the class.

They’re trying to recruit Skylar Diggins (South Bend, Ind.), probably the top point guard in the class. Also Destiny Williams out of Michigan, who probably improved her stock as much as any player over the summer. She’s our No. 1-ranked forward right now. And she just had a heck of a summer. Maryland, Georgia, Illinois, Louisville and I believe Western Michigan. She’s really high on Maryland, so that would be a huge get.

Who’s the highest ranked player that UM has the best shot at landing?

I think the highest ranked player ... that [could be] leaning toward [Maryland] is Destiny Williams, the No. 8 player in the class. She’s going to make her visits. I know she has scheduled official visits. She scheduled her official for Maryland and then she also scheduled the other four. I think Maryland was on her early. So I think they have a real good shot at her.

Check back with Recruiting Report next week for more from Hansen.