Women’s Basketball Lands Junior College Standout

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's basketball team recently added the final piece to its 2011-12 puzzle with the addition of junior college transfer Ry'van Buchanan.  Buchanan, a 5-foot-11 post from Georgia Perimeter College, had her National Letter of Intent cleared by the Atlantic Sun conference office Monday.

"Ry'van is a great athlete who can face up or play with her back to the basket, rebound and run the floor effectively," Mercer head coach Susie Gardner said.  "She also has great dreams and aspirations for her future and it's always really exciting to add that type of person to your program."

Buchanan joins Mercer after a two-year stop at Georgia Perimeter  where she led the Jaguars to unprecedented success.  At the conclusion of last season, the team erased a 20 point deficit to down Cloud County Community College (Kan.) in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

Georgia Perimeter's win lifted the Jaguars to a No. 7 ranking in the final NJCAA standings.  For her efforts at the event, Buchanan was named an all-tournament team selection.

Buchanan's impact on the Georgia Perimeter program is evident when you consider the team notched just a single win the season before Buchanan arrived on campus.  Two years later, Buchanan led the squad to a 31-6 mark while averaging a team best 10.7 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game.

During the 2009-10 season, she posted a gaudy 13.2 ppg and 12.1 rpg.

"To find someone her equal in talent and strength and all the intangibles she brings, that's got to be a heck of a player," Georgia Perimeter head coach James Waldon said.

"She has big time experience playing against the best on a national stage," Gardner said.

Buchanan plans to take coursework with an emphasis in business and has the dream of starting a non-profit organization for children with speech impediments and a program for homeless children. 

Buchanan joins seven others (Tabitha Bradshaw, Alicia Williams, Jasmine Blakemore, Precious Bridges, Teanna Robinson, Alesha Smith and Erichea Barnes) as members of Gardner's first Mercer recruiting class.