CHARLOTTESVILLE – Dave Leitao and his staff are getting an assist from U.Va. football standout Kevin Ogletree in their recruitment of New York City basketball star Sylven Landesberg.

When the 6-1 Ogletree was a senior at Holy Cross High in Queens, N.Y., Landesberg was a freshman.  They played together on the hoopsl team.

“We were cool a long time,” Ogletree said after practice Saturday night, “because with basketball in New York City everybody knows everybody, and he’s been a good player a long time.”

Landesberg, a 6-6 guard, likes U.Va. a lot, Ogletree said.  “Who wouldn’t be attracted to the new arena and how [Leitao’s basketball team] did last year?”

Ogletree, who also starred in hoops at Holy Cross, said he’s been in contact with Landesberg recently.  Landesberg is scheduled to visit Charlottesville this month with his father and then choose from among U.Va., Georgia Tech and Texas.  The Landesbergs previously were in town for the NBA Players Association Top 100 camp at John Paul Jones Arena in June.

“I’m going to definitely get with him and his father,” Ogletree said.  “I’m cool with his family, so when they come down here, we usually get some dinner.  They’re good people.”

Ogletree, the Cavaliers’ top receiver in 2006, had surgery April 3 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.  Ogletree is walking without a limp and has been increasing his workload, but he’s yet to put on pads and helmet.  In all likelihood, Ogletree will take a medical redshirt this season, but a final decision is still to come.

“That’s a little bit down the road,” Ogletree said.  “I just started cutting last week.  It’s feeling good.  That’s the best news.”