National Signing Day: Michigan women’s hoops signs three top-100 2025 recruits to follow up historic 2024 class

One year after signing the highest-ranked class in program history, the Michigan program is making moves again.

One year after signing the highest-ranked class in program history, the Michigan women’s basketball team has signed three top-100 2025 players, the program announced on National Signing Day.

“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 via press release . “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.”

Here’s more on each player in that class, and some thoughts on what two solid classes in back-to-back years means for the program:

McKenzie Mathurin | 5-foot-10 guard | Broken Arrow, Okla.

Four-Star, rated No. 37 on ESPN rankings

As a junior at Broken Arrow, Mathurin averaged 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.3 assists per game. This was the second season in a row that she’s averaged 20 points a game, scoring 20.9 a game in her sophomore season. She’s also earned recognition among elite competition, being named tournament MVP of the 3Stripes Select Basketball Girls Circuit in May.

“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.”

A few fun facts: Mathurin is the first player from Oklahoma to sign with the Wolverines. Her Mom, Amber, played college basketball at Eastern Oklahoma State and is the VP of recruiting for NIL X , a platform that helps college athletes maximize earning potential.

Ciara Byars | 6-foot-3 forward | Paris, Ky.

Four-Star, rated No. 65 on ESPN rankings

Coincidentally, Byars used to be ranked at the No. 37 spot that Mathurin currently holds before getting injured in January. Before that injury, she averaged 14.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in her 15 games, leading George Rogers Clark to a 14-1 record. For her efforts, Byars — who has played varsity basketball since she was in seventh grade — earned first team all-region. She has played AAU for Kentucky Premier in the EYBL circuit.

“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!”

Fun fact: her sister, Brianna, currently plays at Cincinnati.

Jessica Fields | 6-foot-1 forward | Kennesaw Georgia.

Four-Star, rated No. 99 on ESPN rankings

Fields passed the 1,000 point mark as a junior last season, earning GHSA all-state second-team honors while leading Mount Paran Christian to an impressive 29-3. She has helped the Eagles win three straight AA titles, being named the Class AA Player of the Year last season. She was recently named to the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Top 50 Watch List , as well as the preseason All-State team.

“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.”

Fun fact: Fields comes from an athletic family; her brother Justin is currently a quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers and her sister, Jaiden, played softball at the University of Georgia. Fields is a two-sport athlete who also plays volleyball

The importance of building recruiting momentum

These signings are significant for the program when you factor in recruiting momentumm. This comes after Michigan landed a highly-ranked 2024 class that included two five-stars, one of which just put up 27 in a tight loss to the No. 1 team in the country after representing Team Canada in the Olympics.

It’s one thing to land a class with those talented players, but continuing to add top recruits help Michigan build on the foundation they’ve already created. Barnes Arico has now led Michigan to appearances in the last six NCAA tournament appearances and eight tournament wins; this program is nationally relevant under KBA, and they’re only going to get better with more classes like this one.

“We consider ourselves program builders,” Barnes Arico said at Media Day last month. “What we do may be different than a lot of other programs. We’re not a program that’s based on the transfer portal. … That’s not the kind of culture of our university. It’s not the culture of our program. We really pride ourselves on building something.”