The news is what many Tennessee fans have feared since Pat Summitt announced in August 2011 that she has Alzheimer's disease -- the Lady Vols' big-time 2013 commitment, Kaela Davis of Buford, Ga., is reopening her recruitment.
Davis is reconsidering her decision because of concern over Summitt's future ability to coach at Tennessee and the impact the uncertainty over the Hall of Fame coach's health is having on the Lady Vols' recruiting, according to her mother, Kendra.
"She's not washing her hands [of Tennessee] or decommitting," Kendra Davis said. "Nobody could have foreseen [Summitt's illness], nor could the effects be foreseen."
Davis, the 6-foot-2 wing guard, is ranked No. 2 in the ESPNU HoopGurlz Super 60 for the 2013 class and was Tennessee's only junior commitment. She made her verbal on June 1, 2010.
"Just like I said I wouldn't let her commit to Tennessee as an emotional decision," Kendra Davis said, "that's why I can't expect her to stay committed on an emotional decision either."
During the November 2011, early signing period, the Lady Vols signed all three players -- No. 5 Bashaara Graves of Clarksville, Tenn., No. 20 Andraya Carter of Flowery Branch, Ga., and No. 39 Jasmine Jones of Madison, Ala. -- who previously had committed from the senior class. However, Davis' move brings focus on a question that's been asked by many women's college basketball fans: Why has it been so long since Tennessee got a commitment? The Lady Vols' last commitment, from Graves, came nearly a year ago on Feb. 23, 2011; Davis' pledge was 19 months ago.
The Lady Vols remain an option for her daughter, Kendra Davis added.
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Chris Hansen is the national director of prospects for ESPN HoopGurlz and covers girls' basketball and women's college basketball prospects nationally for ESPN.com. A graduate of the University of Washington with a communications degree, he has been involved in the women's basketball community since 1998 as a high school and club coach, trainer, evaluator and reporter. He is a member of the McDonald's All-American team selection committee. Hansen can be reached at chris.hansen@espn.com.