Highly-recruited 2025 prospect Ciara Byars commits to Michigan

Highly recruited prospect Ciara Byars has committed to the Michigan Wolverines, she told On3. The 6-foot-2 forward out of Winchester (Kentucky) George Rogers Clark High School chose Michigan over Louisville, Cal, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt and Maryland. 

“They’ve just always been so consistent in supporting me, whether that was before, during or after the injury,” Byars told On3. “They always showed up to my games when I was playing when I wasn’t playing. The support and consistency of them, and then Coach [Kim Barnes] Arico’s vision for the program. They really just had a great recruiting class that they brought in, and then also the girls that are coming in that are already committed to the 2025 class are amazing as well. When I went on my visit, it just felt like home. It was the best connection that I had, and it was effortless. We instantly clicked.”

Her relationships with the coaching staff were especially influential in her decision. 

“They’re honestly great,” Byars said. “I talk to them all the time. When I don’t talk to one, I have another one calling, and then the other one will text. Coach Arico is very genuine, and I believe in everything that she’s building. She doesn’t just care about basketball, and she’s shown that she cares about the growth and development of my game, not only as a player, but as a person. So I think that’s the most important. I think she can push me to my goals and where I want to be.”

She also loves the Wolverines style of play and sees herself fitting in seamlessly with their hard working mentality. 

“They hang their hat on being the hardest working team in America,” Byars said. “That’s what I’m all about. They’re really big on energy. A big part of why she recruited me was for the intangibles that I possess. I think just being able to play inside and out and play fast and physical – they all play so hard…They’re very vocal. I think that I would be a big asset to the team, being very vocal as well.”