Wolverines Sign Three to Scholarship Agreements
11/13/2024 9:20:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Women's Basketball Coach Kim Barnes Arico announced the signings of McKenzie Mathurin, Jessica Fields and Ciara Byars to Big Ten Scholarship Agreements on Wednesday (Nov. 13). Each player is a top-100 recruit by ESPN.
"It was really important for us as a staff to follow up this year's recruiting class with another strong class for 2025," Barnes Arico said. "We knew we needed to add some dynamic post play, size and rebounding ability. We feel like we really targeted this class with that in mind, while also adding another explosive guard to our young core. The three of them really complement each other and add exactly what we need to our current group.
"This group was able to spend a lot of time with our current team, and they fit what our program is all about. They are connected and are such great teammates. We talk all the time about our culture and how important that is for us. These three check all the boxes in terms of talent and are also great culture kids, great people and great students. We are thrilled that they will be joining our team."
McKenzie Mathurin | 5-10 G | Broken Arrow, Okla./Broken Arrow
The first player from Oklahoma to sign with the Wolverines, Mathurin moved up to No. 37 in the latest ESPN rankings as a four-star recruit. As a junior at Broken Arrow, she averaged 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.3 assists per game. It marked her second straight season as a 20-point-per-game scorer after going for 20.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a sophomore. She was named the tournament MVP of the 3Stripes Select Basketball Girls Circuit in May after averaging 22.3 points per contest. She played AAU for Team Trae Young.
"Kenzie is just going to add more depth and another layer to our already strong guard group who will be returning next year," Barnes Arico said. She is a really dynamic guard who can score at all three levels, can handle the point guard position and can play off the ball. She shoots the ball extremely well, has great pace to her game, can finish going to the basket and has a super high IQ. She is a great leader and will be able to come in and contribute with our returning class."
"I chose the University of Michigan because of the family atmosphere I felt on campus," Mathurin said. "Coach Arico, everyone else on staff, and the current players made Michigan feel like my future home! I also have to thank my mom for all her help in this process. She is the reason I'm where I am today; she's pushed me to go 110% every day, has shown me to never be satisfied and always strive to reach my next level."
Jessica Fields | 6-1 | F | Kennesaw, Ga./Mount Paran Christian School
Fields is ranked No. 99 in the ESPN rankings as a four-star recruit. She was recently named to the Atlanta Tipoff Club Top 50 Watch List for players across the Metro Atlanta area and to the preseason all-state team. She eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career as a junior, earning GHSA all-state second-team honors as Mount Paran Christian went 29-3. She has helped the Eagles to three straight AA titles, being named the Class AA Player of the Year in 2023. Fields is a two-sport athlete, also competing in volleyball. Her brother, Justin, is a quarterback in the NFL and her sister, Jaiden, played softball at Georgia. She played AAU for Essence on the EYBL Circuit.
"Jess is going to bring another level of athleticism to our program," Barnes Arico said. "She is a game changer with what she can do on the basketball court. Her shot-blocking ability is tremendous, and she really has a knack to rebound the ball. She finishes so well around the rim with incredible bounce. She is terrific at drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. Her feel for the game is next-level and her motor is special. She is someone who will make an impact for us on both sides of the floor."
"I chose Michigan because of the team culture," Fields said. "I could tell they are a very close team and that's what I was looking for. I was also looking for a program that would help develop me as a player and a person. I feel like the coaches at Michigan can help me reach my full potential. Most importantly, the academics played a huge role in my decision as well."
Ciara Byars | 6-2 | F | Paris, Ky./George Rogers Clark
Byars comes in at No. 65 in the latest ESPN rankings as a four-star recruit. She was ranked as high as No. 37 before suffering an injury in January. As a junior, she averaged 14.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in her 15 games before an injury with a 14-1 record in those games en route to earning first team all-region. A member of her varsity team since the 7th grade, she has led her team in scoring in each of the last three seasons. During her sophomore season in 2022-23, she averaged 18.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as GRC made a run to the state semifinals. Her sister plays basketball at Cincinnati. She played AAU for Kentucky Premier on the EYBL circuit.
"We are super excited about the versatility, size and athleticism that Ciara has," Barnes Arico said. "She can play multiple positions, which is something we really need. She can score with her back to the basket, but she can also be that face-up decision-maker who can put it on the floor. She has a nose for the basketball with a tremendous ability to rebound. She really is a student of the game with a basketball IQ that is off the charts. She has a toughness and an edge that is perfect for our program."
"I chose Michigan because the moment I stepped on campus it felt like home," Byars said. "From the girls to the coaches and everything the block M represents, I instantly fell in love. My family and I truly believe in what Coach Arico is building and am excited to be part of it. Go Blue!"
