From the film I’ve watched and the research I’ve done, the consensus on Byer is that she is a DOMINANT paint presence, and that’s not just on the offensive end of the floor. On the boards, she will definitely be one of the top stat leaders regardless of who’s on the court with her. She provides paint protection for her guards and gives her team the “if all goes wrong, throw it in the paint” option on offense. The size, production, and impact are all key things to her game. She’ll definitely be a player that I’ll need to see in person to confirm my thoughts.

Byer showed throughout the AAU season why she is a player worth monitoring closely moving forward. She plays with energy and toughness around the basket and consistently competes hard every possession. Offensively, Byer showed the ability to finish around the rim while also creating extra scoring opportunities through offensive rebounding and hustle plays. Her willingness to battle inside stood out repeatedly this spring.

Defensively, Byer rebounds well and competes with physicality in the paint. She embraces contact and consistently works hard protecting the basket against opposing post players. Her overall upside is intriguing because of the combination of size, effort, and developing offensive skill she brings to the floor. As she continues refining her footwork and becoming more consistent offensively, Byer has the potential to emerge as a strong frontcourt player in the 2028 class. College coaches should already begin following her development because players with her toughness and motor are always valuable at the next level.

Kariya, a post player for 5Star, made her presence felt during the MI College Tour III stop at Grand Valley on Saturday with a strong showing on the interior. She displayed reliable hands and a soft finish around the basket, converting efficiently in close. She was active on the glass at both ends, consistently securing rebounds and creating extra opportunities for her team. Kariya also brought a physical edge in the post, holding her ground and competing inside, while showing touch on a smooth turnaround jumper.

Kariya really jumped onto the radar this season, as she was a big impact player at Marian all Winter, averaging 16.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. She has a strong, athletic frame, some length, and she is a nice run-and-jump athlete. While she has a great deal of talent and potential, she is still refining her skill around the block. Once that comes, she could be scary, because she’s already highly effective at the defensive end of the floor. She will be a fun one to watch develop over the next couple of years, and there should be plenty of interested colleges by the time it’s done.