The highest-ranked class in program history is coming to Ann Arbor.
There’s a bit of uncertainty surrounding Michigan women’s basketball at the moment, with Laila Phelia and other key players in the transfer portal. The roster could look completely different following a Round of 64 exit , the first of Kim Barnes Arico’s career as Michigan’s head coach. By the standards Michigan fans had come to expect, it was a bit of a down season, considering the Wolverines had made the Round of 32 the five seasons prior, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2022.
Despite the early exit in the tournament and those aforementioned players in the portal, there is a lot to be excited about the future of the program thanks to a five-woman class that is ranked No. 7 .
“(I’m) excited for the future of our program,” Barnes Arico told Maize n Brew after Dusty May’s press conference. “We’ve signed one of the best classes, and (I’m) excited to start thinking about next season.”
Before they take the floor next season, here’s a quick breakdown of each player in the class.
Syla Swords – 6-foot guard, Sudbury, Ontario
Five-Star, rated No. 4 on ESPN rankings
Swords is considered one of the best players in her class, recently being named a MaxPreps All-American and a McDonald’s All American. Her and Olivia Olson are the first two McDonald’s All-Americans to commit to Michigan as freshmen, giving the Wolverines three on the roster along with transfer Greta Kampschroeder .
Along with plenty of high school success at Long Island Lutheran, Swords also represented Canada on national teams, playing in the FIBA U19 World Cup and as part of the 2023 AmeriCup team. The guard was named to the All-Tournament second team in the World Cup after averaging 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.9 minutes per game.
It’s easy to see how Swords is ranked as the No. 4 player in her class. She’s got a great jump shot with a quick release and deep range from three. She’s a decisive driver who finishes well at the rim, has excellent court vision, and almost always makes the right play in transition. She’s also a solid defender, moving her feet well and making sure to contest shots without fouling.
Olivia Olson – 6-foot-1 guard, New Hope, Minnesota
Five-Star, rated No. 20 on ESPN rankings
Olson and Swords played in the McDonald’s All-American game together, combining for what may have been the play of the game, with Olson seeing Swords in transition and adding a little razzle-dazzle with a no-look pass before Swords finished the layup.
Did someone say “Play of the Game”? @OliviaOlson2024 drops the dime for @SylaSwords #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/eOjLWaRGsD
— Michigan Women’s Basketball (@umichwbball) April 3, 2024
That play showcased Olson’s excellent court vision. Like Swords, Olson also has a quick release on her jump shot; her form is textbook and she does a great job creating space for herself with her pivot foot before pulling up from mid-range or from three. She can get to the rim and finish with ease, and is a decent defender who anticipates passes well — you can tell by how quickly she makes decisions that her basketball IQ is through the roof.
In Swords and Olson, the Wolverines have their backcourt of the future. Don’t be surprised if they are leading Michigan in scoring in a few short seasons.
Mila Holloway – 5-foot-10 guard, Charlotte, North Carolina
Four-Star
Holloway is incredibly quick with the ball in her hands. What separates her from other quick guards is the way she is able to stay under control while playing at a quick pace. She’s got great hands-on defense to force steals, and she’s not afraid to challenge a shot near the rim as well.
She’s a ball of energy who often outpaces players up the floor, and when teammates run with her on the break, she sets them up well for an open look. Combine all that with solid finishing ability around the rim, and she could contribute for Michigan right away.
Te’Yala Delfosse – 6-foot-3 forward, Ewing, New Jersey
Three-star
Delfose has good size at 6-foot-3, towering over teammates and opponents. She’s got a smooth jumper that goes in while in transition. She’s an excellent rebounder who can finish put-backs with ease, and she uses her length to get to the rim and score. She’s got a decent handle and is a tenacious defender. She won’t have to take a lot of shots in the class, and could benefit from playing alongside great shot creators in Swords, Olson and Holloway.
Aaiyanna Dunbar – 6-foot-2 forward, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
“Dunbar is a rare prospect in that she plays so hard and doesn’t necessarily need offensive touches to be effective,” Brandon Clay for Prospects Nation wrote about Dunbar in 2022. “Add that to Dunbar’s willingness to be a consistent on or off ball screener and she is one of the best true interior threats in the region.”
Dunbar has a relentless motor and is willing to battle with opposing bigs in the paint. She finishes well inside and is a machine on the offensive glass, quickly corralling the ball and getting it back up in a hurry.
Clay also wrote that Dunbar has a high basketball IQ and showed a willingness to switch onto everything, comparing her to Kevin Love in the 2016 NBA Finals .
While she’s the only player in the Michigan class not ranked, Dunbar could eventually contribute for the Wolverines on the interior, and will earn minutes as long as her rebounding translates to the collegiate level.