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The Byars family name is certainly no secret to the George Rogers Clark High School girls’ basketball program. Current University of Cincinnati sophomore Brianna Byars is the program’s all-time leading scorer, while sister and incoming senior Ciara Byars is one of the state’s top athletes. 

Fans no longer have to wait to find out where the star player will compete at the next level. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Byars formally announced her commitment to play NCAA basketball at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  

“[I’m] extremely proud and happy for Ciara,” said George Rogers Clark High School Girls Basketball Coach Robbie Graham. “She’s just such a hard worker dedicated to her craft…[and] such a tremendous person and very high-character young lady.” 

Byars, a 4-star recruit ranked #63 nationally in the 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings from ESPN, has been a member of GRC’s highly-regarded Lady Cards’ basketball team since her 7th-grade season. 

During the course of her GRC career, the team has achieved multiple 10th-Region Championships, leading to several appearances in the KHSAA Girls’ Basketball Sweet 16 State Basketball Tournament. 

In 2023, the Lady Cards made it all the way to the Final Four, losing by a narrow 4 points to eventual state champion Sacred Heart. 

After Byars suffered a season-ending injury in January 2024, she played from the bench and led the team to another 10th-Region Championship. 

Coach Graham spoke further about the recruitment process. 

“She had a really good summer two years ago, and her recruitment [expanded],” he said. “She played well in the AAU circuit. Several teams started to look out and contact her.” 

Byars received offers from the University of Louisville, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Maryland, California, and others. 

While much is left to be learned, Graham offered insights into Byars’ playing future. 

“I think they’re…going to play her maybe in the forward position, which could be inside [or] outside,” he said. “They’ve had some really good players in that forward spot in the past.” 

The Wolverines have been a perennial contender in the formidable Big 10 Conference for the last four years and have finished the last four years in the NCAA’s Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Second Round, and First Round, respectively. 

Beforehand, with GRC’s 2024-25 season just one month away from starting, Graham has high hopes. 

“We’d love to get her back whenever that time will be…we would never jeopardize a player’s health for basketball,” he said. “I think she wants to get back [and is] definitely anxious to get back.”