Erinn Thompson is counting down the days until she hits the hardwood for the Cavaliers.

While the 6'3" Virginia commit has more than a year before she arrives in Charlottesville, it can't come soon enough.

"I've been really blessed to be surrounded by great people and great coaches in high school, but I am most definitely counting down the days till I get to be on Grounds," Thompson said. "It's going to be really hard to get through my senior year of high school."

This season, Thompson will attempt to lead her high school team, Bishop McGuinness (NC), to its fourth consecutive state title - and she doesn't expect any different results.

"I don't think my high school career would be complete without my fourth championship," Thompson said. "I'm looking for a successful year. I'm looking for more ways to apply myself and get ready for every game."

According to Thompson, she will also use this year to work on her strength and physicality as she anticipates being used as a four or five. Thompson believes that if she can get stronger and work on her intensity, it will help speed up her transition to the collegiate game.

"I played with the Philadelphia Belles this week," Thompson said. "It was a completely different world of basketball. Just playing in games like that and getting in the weight room and practicing keeping up the intensity in the games that aren't as competitive, I think will really help me make the transition to college."

At Virginia, Thompson will join a highly touted recruiting class that includes the energetic Lexie Gerson. Playing in a recent AAU tournament together, Thompson got to see some of her future teammates up close, including Gerson, Jazmin Pitts, and Simone Egwu. Seeing them in person only made Thompson more excited about her future at Virginia.

"Playing with Lexie this weekend, she is one of the best defenders I've ever been around," she said. "Simone is a power post player. I saw her play a little this weekend. She's very strong. Jazmin, I played with and against her and she's a powerhouse. Everybody coming in is playing really tough and has the ability to play within themselves."

After getting to know each other through AAU and Virginia's Elite Camp, Pitts shared Thompson's excitement about the future of the Cavaliers. According to Pitts, the girls discussed their potential run to the championship.

"We've already decided what our rings are going to look like," Pitts said.

For Thompson, the decision to commit to Virginia's promising future was easy.

"During the process I chose UVa because it was the right combination of everything," Thompson said. "It's a beautiful campus and a great school. I was really interested in a high academic school. Coach Ryan and the girls were so close and so competitive. The more I see, the more I like."

For Thompson and the other commits that will join her on grounds in the coming years, the best seems yet to come.

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